CHARLY Suarez is back to light training and conditioning in anticipation of his mandatory rematch with Mexican World Boxing Organization super featherweight champion Emanuel Navarrete after the controversial result of their title clash last May, according to his manager, Ric Navalta.
“He (Suarez) is not formally training as of yet, just staying fit and light training. Once he goes into full training mode, we’ll let you know,” Navalta said in a recent interview.
Navalta disclosed that he was with Suarez’s chief supporter, former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis Chavit “Singson” in Las Vegas, Nevada to watch the World Boxing Council championship match between title holder Mario Barrios and Filipino challenger Manny Pacquiao the previous week.
He said that he and “Gov Chavit spoke with (Top Rank boss) Bob Arum while we were in Las Vegas. They are still awaiting clearance from the doctors of Navarrete, with hopes of a schedule (of a title rematch in) October. So, let’s see.”
The California State Athletic Commission overturned last June 2 the technical decision verdict on June 2, ruling that Navarrete purportedly suffered a nasty cut on his left eyebrow as a result of an accidental headbutt in the seventh round with Suarez, prompting the referee to stop the fight.
As a result, the match went to the scorecards, with all three judges seeing it 77-76, 78-75, 77-76, all in favor of the Mexican, only for later video evidence to show that the wound was a result of Suarez’s lancing left hook.
The reversed decision paved the way for the Puerto Rico-based WBO to order a mandatory rematch after Navarrete’s mandatory two-month medical suspension, which lapsed last July 9.
At 36, Suarez, who is unbeaten in 18 fights, with 10 knockouts, is looking to become one of the oldest Filipino world champions by taking a shot again. “Vaquero” felt he was robbed of that chance, seeing that his rival was tiring and slowing down as the title battle progressed.
Meanwhile, the camp of rising and undefeated bantamweight star Kenneth Llover has tapped the services of strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza to prepare for the boxer’s fight against ageing former two-division world champion Luis Concepcion on Aug. 17 at the Winford Resort and Casino in Manila.
The boxing website pinoygreats.com reported yesterday that Ariza, who used to handle the likes of Manny Pacquiao, Amir Khan and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., among others, is now based in Manila.
It was his Lover’s manager, former world champ Gerry Penalosa, who recruited Ariza to prep the boxer against Concepcion, 39, a former World Boxing Association flyweight and super flyweight champ who sports 40 wins (29 KOs) and 10 losses.
“He (Llover) is good. He is young and raw; he only has 14 fights. Obviously, we can see the Pacquiao influence on him—the movement, the speed, and he has great power,” noted Ariza of the 22-year-old native of General Trias, Cavite, who has knocked out nine of his opponents.
The latest victim of his power punches was Japanese Keita Kurihara, a former Orient Pacific Boxing Federation bantamweight champion, who was stopped by Llover in the opening round last March 24 at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
