WORLD Boxing Organization junior lightweight champion Emmanuel Navarrete is coy on a rematch with Filipino challenger Charly Suarez, whose camp is set to file a protest with the California State Athletic Commission over the controversial unanimous technical decision win of the Mexican in their title clash over the weekend.
“It’s a bit premature. I have a suspension for two months (from getting cut). I have to think … see what comes and then we’ll make a decision,” Navarrete said of possibly fighting Suarez again in a report by veteran boxing writer Keith Idec that was posted on the Ring Magazine website yesterday (Monday in the US).
“The California State Athletic Commission’s replay official, veteran referee Jack Reis, ruled that an accidental clash of heads caused Navarrete’s cut,” Idec wrote of the fight held at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego that was stopped before the start of the eighth round upon the ring physician’s orders.
“Had the CSAC (official) determined Navarrete’s cut was opened by a punch, Suarez would’ve won by technical knockout once the doctor stopped their bout,” the report said.
“Mexico’s Navarrete led by one point apiece on the cards of judges Lou Moret (77-76) and Fernando Villarreal (77-76) and three points according to judge Pat Russell (78-75),” the story noted.
Suarez and his handlers did not take the dubious result sitting down, and the boxer yesterday informed Malaya Business Insight that they would protest the decision with the California professional boxing body.
“Blessed everyone diyan, Sir. Ngayon pa lang pa nag-protest kami sa commission dito para malaman kung no contest ba and then kung kailan ang next na laban,” he said. “I-advise na lang po namin po sa inyo kung anong mayroon dito.”
There has been clamor by the general public for a rematch after the questionable outcome of the match, and even the top brass of Top Rank – Bob Arum and Carl Moretti – “have already begun beating the promotional drums for an immediate rematch as well,” according to the report.
But Navarrete, who had difficulty making the official 130-pound limit at the official weigh-in, said he needed to consult with his own handlers if he would face the dangerous Pinoy fighter anew.
“Well, there are a lot of things we still need to talk about,” Navarrete was quoted as saying. “I don’t manage my career by myself. We have (my manager), along with Top Rank, so we have to talk about a few things.
“But a rematch would be very good for all because there were still things pending in this fight. So, we can’t rule him (Suarez) out. He would be a great opponent. He was a great opponent. I know what he brings, so a rematch, I think, would be good.
“Regardless of what I do, I think something good is coming for me.”
In a separate article by Idec, Suarez said he was confident that he would have knocked out the Mexican “Vaquero” had the match resumed.
“Maybe in the late rounds, I think I [would have] knocked him (Navarrete) out,” Suarez said. “I saw he (was) tired. And his punches is (sic) not strong enough.”
“Suarez sensed Navarrete was tired by the time the ringside physician determined the WBO junior lightweight champion shouldn’t continue one second into the eighth round due to the long, messy cut above his left eyebrow,” the report pointed out.
This explains why the 36-year-old pride of San Isidro, Davao del Norte, who absorbed his first loss in 19 matches, was adamant that he gets a second crack at Navarrete’s crown.
“I want a rematch with Emanuel Navarrete,” Suarez said, “because it was a good fight. … I respect Navarrete because he’s a good boxer. And if they give me a chance to rematch, it’s my honor. And I will do my best so that the fight is very excellent and entertaining.”
