BASED on clear video evidence of the title fight and heeding public clamor, the California State Athletic Commission yesterday (Monday in the US) unanimously voted to revise the technical unanimous decision win by reigning World Boxing Organization super featherweight champ Emanuel Navarrete of Mexico against Filipino challenger Charly Suarez into a no-contest verdict, the boxingscene.com reported.
Veteran boxing writer Lance Pugmire wrote on the popular American boxing website that the WBO has ordered an immediate rematch after the controversial outcome of the title bout last May 10 (May 11 in Manila) at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California.The basis of the decision was the thorough video review of the seventh-round incident that showed that Suarez connected with a left hook that caused the nasty cut on Navarrete’s eyebrow, and not a head butt that was earlier reported, prompting referee Ed Collantest to stop the fight upon the advice of the ring physician.
Because of this, the match went to the scorecards, with the three judges seeing it 77-76, 78-75, 77-76, all in favor of the Mexican “Vaquero.”
Based on the video replay, a win by technical knockout would have been awarded to Suarez, who was undefeated in 18 fights entering the match, making him the new WBO super featherweight king.
“The commissioners ruled ‘the only fair thing to do’ was to convert the outcome to a no-contest,” Pugmire reported.
In an official statement by Team Suarez shortly after the announcement of the verdict, the boxer said, “I am grateful for the efforts my team put into this endeavor, especially my manager Ric Navalta, head coach Delfin Boholst, legal adviser Atty. Juan Miguel Yambao of EVPN Law Office, and of course, to Gov. Chavit Singson for providing my team the means to pursue the protest.
“My team pushed for a reversal of the technical decision win for Navarrete into a TKO win in my favor. However, the CSAC deemed it more appropriate to change the bout to a no contest.”
“While this is not the result that we wanted, I believe this is still a positive outcome,” he stressed. I am now focusing on the future. I am ready for a rematch. I hope Navarrete takes the fight because we have unfinished business to settle.
“I wish him a quick recovery. I intend to go back to training as soon as my coach comes back to Manila, mid-June. I’ll be back. “
In a separate statement, sportsman-businessman and former Ilocos Sur. Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson, the boxer’s major benefactor, said:
“It’s not the decision that we wanted and what Charly deserved. We still believe na nadaya si Charly. But we will abide by the decision. At least, hindi man si Charly ang declared na winner, binawi din ang panalo kay Navarrete.
“We will prepare for the rematch. Charly wants the rematch. The fans want to see that happen. Anytime, anywhere tayo.”
Top Rank vice president of boxing operations Carl Moretti said during the CSAC meeting that as the promoter of the Navarrete-Suarez title clash, “(we) will honor the WBO’s request for a rematch and will do it in a timely manner.”
While graciously accepting the CSAC’s ruling, Navalta rued the emotional toll the outcome of the initial encounter had on Suarez.
“These guys spend their whole lives for a night like this. To feel that you didn’t get a fair shake, that’s pretty tough. This kid (Suarez) has already been deprived of his moment,” Navalta was quoted as saying in the report.
Due to the cut, Navarrete will be under medical suspension by the CSAC until July 9 before he can resume training for the highly anticipated rematch, if he is inclined to do it at all.
The Mexican had difficulty making the 130-pound limit during the official weigh-in, and Suarez noted that had the fight resumed, he would have wrested the championship as his opponent looked drained as the match wore on.
