NOTHING beats representing the country in events such as the Southeast Asian Games.
This was how Charly Suarez felt when he was able to capture the gold medal in the SEA Games on Monday when he won over Pidnuch Khunatip of Thailand for the lightweight gold.
Suarez turned professional in 2018 following stints in the national team where he won two SEA Games gold medals prior to this year’s edition.
“Sa professional kasi, iba ‘yun. Para sa sarili mo ‘yun. Dito, sa bansa mo eh na makapagbigay ka ng gintong medalya,” said Suarez.
“Wala ring professional na naglaro sa ganitong larangan so I’m so blessed na ako ang napili na mabigyan ng pagkakataon ng Panginoon at opisyales ng Abap,” said the 31-year-old Suarez.
Professional boxers have been allowed to compete in amateur boxing competitions since 2016 beginning with the Olympics in Rio De Janeiro, paving the way for competitors like Suarez to return to their roots.
Suarez has now recorded a 3-0 record in professional boxing, all on knockouts before his SEA Games outing.
Suarez looked headed for a knockout victory in the gold medal match against Pidnuch with the bout turning into a slugfest with several exchanges of punches to the delight of the fans.
To the credit of Pidnuch, the Thai fighter was given a standing eight-count once but didn’t suffer a knockdown. Pidnuch later lost via unanimous decision to the Filipino.
“’Yung kalaban, matibay. Kahit anong tama kong malakas, gumegewang lang. Challenge talaga ‘yung laban. Champion din ‘yun ng muay thai kaya saludo rin ako sa kanya. Ginawa niya lahat para manalo rin,” said Suarez.
Suarez said he will be back to prepare for his professional boxing career but is open to compete in the SEA Games again.
“Kung ano ‘yung opportunity na ibigay sa akin, once lang ‘yun, I will grab it ng buong pagpapasalamat,” said Suarez.