REMATCH or reversal.
The camp of Charly Suarez is hoping for either of the two in light of his debatable technical decision loss to Mexican Emmanuel Navarrete in their WBO junior lightweight title fight on Sunday in San Diego, California.
Suarez personally asked for another shot at the reigning champion, while his manager, former Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson was vocal in saying the Filipino challenger deserves the win and should be awarded the title belt.
READ Navarrete retains title after technical decision win vs Suarez
“I want a rematch with Navarrete,” said the 36-year-old Suarez after the fight.
But Singson is taking it a step further, saying he plans to petition for the reversal of the decision.
“We will file an appeal. Charly deserves the win and the world title,” said the 83-year-old longtime public official.
“Clear punch. Maliwanag pa sa sikat ng araw dito sa Pilipinas. Charly was robbed of a victory, and boxing fans, even non-Filipinos, know that.”
The 12-round fight at the Pechanga Arena came to an abrupt end at the start of the eighth round when the referee stepped in owing to the huge gash suffered by Navarrete above his left eyebrow.
Referee Edward Collantes ruled the cut was triggered by a clash of heads between the two fighters in the sixth round, a decision that factored later when the ring physician deemed Navarrete unfit to continue fighting
All three judges had Navarrete ahead at the time the fight was stopped, 78-75, 77-76, 77-76.
But Suarez’s camp insisted it was a legitimate punch that opened the gash, a claim later verified by a slow-mo video showing the Filipino sneaking a strong left that landed smack on the face of Navarrete before the two eventually clashed heads.
A cut caused by a punch meant Suarez should have been declared the winner by TKO as Navarrete could no longer continue fighting.
“I thought I had the chance to win the fight,” said Suarez, who understandably put the pressure on Navarrete as the champion fought the entire seventh round with blood flowing freely down his face.
“I had five more rounds to try to win it.”
Of course, the Mexican champion thought it was indeed, a headbutt.
“I felt it was a headbutt. I saw the review. It seems like a punch, but it exploded two layers of skin,” said Navarrete (40-2-1, 32 KOs).
But in light of the new footages that came out, the California State Athletic Commission could be compelled to alter the outcome of the fight to a no-contest.
In such event, the WBO will be forced to order a rematch.
Top Rank Vice President of Operations Carl Moretti also said in passing that he’ll push for a rematch.
That’s good enough as far as Suarez is concerned.
“I respect Navarrete because he’s a good boxer and he’ll give me a chance to rematch after a fight that was entertaining,” said the Filipino Olympian (18-1, 10 KOs).
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