OLYMPIAN Charlie Suarez is looking to vie for a first-ever world championship hopefully by the end of 2024.
With no less than former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis ‘Chavit’ Singson backing his title bid, the 36-year-old is confident a fight with reigning WBO super-featherweight champion Emmanuel Navarette of Mexico will be made by December.
“Once lang yung opportunity. Kaya kung ibigay sa amin, we will grab it,” said the former amateur boxing star, who won a silver medal in the 2014 Asian Games, was a three-time Southeast Asian Games gold medal winner, and part of the 2016 Philippine team to the Rio De Janeiro Olympics.
Singson throws support
Singson disclosed he’s planning to offer Navarrete to defend his title belt in the country and will have his right hand man Fil-American Rick Navalta arrange the fight with Top Rank, where Suarez and Navarrete are both under contract.
Navarrete is set for a possible ring return in December and Singson believes Suarez could be in the mix.
“Ang mangyayari ngayon may laban sa December, may championship. May suspetsa kami na siya (Suarez) ang ilalaban. Ngayon pa na medyo importante na siya. Di na sila makahindi doon,” said Singson of Suarez, who is now ranked as the No. 1 contender by the WBO after scoring a third-round TKO of American Jorge Castaneda last Sept. 20 in Arizona to win the vacant WBO International super-featherweight crown.
“Para makasigurado ako, gusto ko dito ang laban. Yung champion labanan niya (Suarez). We’re willing to finance.”
Since turning professional in 2019 shortly after the Manila SEA Games, Suarez is undefeated in 18 fights, 10 of them coming by way of knockouts.
He is being trained by former national boxer Delfin Boholst.
Suarez is grateful for all the help being extended to him by Singson, who is a known supporter and associate of boxing great Manny Pacquiao.
“Malaking tulong na nandiyan si Gov. Nagtitiwala. Malaking impact yun para sa amin,” he said.
Singson knows the cost of hosting a world championship is staggering. But he believes in the talent of Suarez, which he hopes would be able to follow in the footsteps of Pacquiao.
“Hopefully ganoon din ang mangyari kay Charly (tulad kay Manny) sa awa ng Diyos. Mabait naman si Charly at very religious uli,” said Singson.
The former governor said he’ll also try to talk to Top Rank chief Bob Arum once Navalta laid down the offer.
“Kakausapin ko rin (Arum). Pero si Rick muna. Siya ang makipag-negotiate sa kanila. Baka presyuhan tayo ng katakot-katakot,” said the long-time political power of the North.
“Pero okay lang yun. Ang Pilipino naman kaya gusto ko mag-finance niyan dahil kaligayahan ng Pilipino, boxing, basketball, and beauty contest, tatlo lang, kuntento na ang Pilipino,” added Singson, who once finance the hosting of the Ms. Universe in the country.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
