By Darryl John Esguerra
MANILA – Charly Suarez will get a shot at redemption as the World Boxing Organization (WBO) ordered an immediate rematch of his title fight against junior lightweight titleholder Emanuel Navarrete following the California State Athletic Commission’s (CSAC) decision to overturn the Mexican champion’s controversial win.
Navarrete won via eighth-round technical unanimous decision against Suarez last May 10 after the ringside physician declared him unable to continue the fight due to a cut above his left eye.
The referee had ruled that the cut was caused by an accidental headbutt.
Replays, however, showed that the cut that halted the fight was caused by a clean punch from the Filipino.
The CSAC unanimously voted to overturn Navarrete’s victory to a no contest following a review of the bout.
The WBO subsequently announced it is ordering an immediate rematch for Navarrete’s junior lightweight belt.
“The California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) has officially ruled the bout between Emanuel Navarrete and Charly Suarez as a ‘No Contest.’ In light of the foregoing, the World Boxing Organization (WBO) is hereby ordering an immediate rematch,” the WBO said. (PNA)
