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Charly Suarez's promoter is pressing the WBO to order negotiations for a rematch with Emanuel Navarrete after the Filipino contender knocked out Manuel Avila in the first round Saturday night in San Bernardino.
Sampson Lewkowicz issued a statement Monday demanding the sanctioning body enforce its previous ruling that named Suarez as Navarrete's mandatory challenger at 130 pounds, according to The Ring. "By destroying Manuel Avila, Charly Suarez proved once again he is the top contender to Emanuel Navarrete," Lewkowicz said. "And we ask the WBO to enforce their order and direct his team to start negotiating for a rematch."
No-Contest Controversy Fuels Rematch Push
The rematch order stems from a May bout between Suarez and the IBF/WBO champion that ended in a controversial no-contest. Referee Edward Collantes originally ruled Navarrete's sixth-round cut came from a headbutt, and a ringside doctor stopped the fight two rounds later. California State Athletic Commission replay official Jack Reis upheld the headbutt ruling at the time. A different camera angle later showed the cut came from a punch — which would have made Suarez the WBO junior lightweight champion by eighth-round technical stoppage. The CSAC overturned the result to a no-contest at a subsequent hearing.
Navarrete has fought once since, stopping Eduardo Nunez in the 11th round February 28 in Glendale to add the IBF belt. The Mexican champion is reportedly in talks for a unification with WBC titleholder O'Shaquie Foster, but those negotiations could stall until the Suarez mandatory situation is resolved. If Navarrete declines to face the 37-year-old Filipino, the WBO could strip him, leaving only the IBF and WBC straps on the line against Foster.
Suarez's manager Delfin Boholst told The Ring his fighter is ready. "Charly's dream is to be world champion, and we feel he deserves another shot at the title," Boholst said. Suarez improved to 19-0 with 11 knockouts, while Navarrete stands 40-2-1 with 33 stoppages.
Source: ringmagazine.com
