The team of Filipino boxer Charly Suarez is pushing for a rematch against World Boxing Organization (WBO) super-featherweight champion Emmanuel Navarrete, following a controversial loss last week in San Diego.
The potential rematch hinges on the decision of the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC), which is set to hear Suarez’s appeal on June 2. The appeal challenges Suarez’s technical-decision defeat to Navarrete during their May 10 bout at Pechanga Arena.
Suarez’s camp formally protested the outcome, arguing that the fight was prematurely stopped in the eighth round due to a cut above Navarrete’s left eyebrow. The cut, which appeared in the sixth round, was initially ruled by referee Edward Collantes as the result of an accidental headbutt. This ruling brought the judges’ scorecards into play, ultimately awarding Navarrete the win with scores of 77-76, 78-75, and 77-76.
However, video replays reportedly show that the cut was caused by a punch from Suarez, not a clash of heads. Despite this, veteran referee Jack Reiss, who was present at ringside, did not contest Collantes’ call at the time.
Suarez’s management team is now seeking to have the result overturned—either to a no-contest or a stoppage win in Suarez’s favor.
“Everyone’s hoping the decision gets reversed. The worst-case scenario is that it doesn’t,” said Suarez’s top supporter, Luis “Chavit” Singson. “Let’s wait and see what happens.”
Singson joined Suarez, head coach Delfin Boholst, and manager Ric Navalta in a press conference on Sunday to discuss their next steps.
“We want a rematch,” said Boholst, adding that they hope the bout can take place either in the Philippines or elsewhere in the United States.
Navarrete, who holds a professional record of 40-2-1 with 32 knockouts, successfully defended his WBO title in the contested match. But the official protest could pave the way for a dramatic rematch—if the CSAC rules in Suarez’s favor.
