By Jean Malanum
MANILA – Charly Suarez is determined to beat WBO super-featherweight champion Emmanuel Navarrete of Mexico at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California on May 10.
“It should be convincing,” the 36-year-old Suarez said on his first crack at a world title.
He competed at the 2016 Rio Olympics, got the silver medal at the 2014 Asian Games and bagged three gold medals in the Southeast Asian Games.
“I didn’t win a medal at the Olympics, so what I didn’t achieve there, I’ll get here. I won’t let myself not get it (title),” Suarez said during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) forum Tuesday at the conference hall of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
Suarez, who turned pro in 2019, was accompanied by his manager, former Ilocos Sur governor Luis “Chavit” Singson, trainer Delfin Boholst, and team member Ricardo Navalta.
“It will be a big honor for our country if Charly wins the world title. My wish for him is to win at all cost. Charly should win by knockout or convincing,” said Singson, who has provided Suarez with a place to stay in Tagaytay City while preparing for his fight against the 30-year-old Mexican, who holds a 39-2 record with 32 knockouts.
Suarez, unbeaten in 19 pro fights, is also out to avenge the losses of countrymen Jhun Gemino, Glenn Porras, Juan Miguel Elorde and Jeo Santisima to Navarrete.
Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann dropped by the weekly forum to wish Suarez good luck.
“We studied Navarrete. We couldn’t match his 1,000 punches per fight so we found another way. But he has a tendency to relax in the opening rounds. But as time goes on, he gets better, just like Charly, so we’re ready for 12 rounds,” Boholst said.
“This is it. It’s his time. It’s going to happen. Charly will win the world title,” added Navalta, who makes sure everything is in place whenever Suarez is in the United States. (PNA)
