Charly Suarez is still ‘hoping and praying’ that his rematch with Emanuel Navarrete pushes through soon, with the clock ticking on the mandatory title match.
The two boxers fought for Navarrete’s World Boxing Organization junior lightweight title in May this year. Suarez absorbed a technical decision loss to Navarrete as the Mexican was cut above his left eyebrow during the match, supposedly due to an accidental headbutt.
But almost a month later, the match was declared no contest as Suarez was shown landing a solid left straight on Navarrete, which opened up the cut.
During the Thrilla in Manila II event at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Wednesday, Suarez said that he and his camp are still waiting for negotiations to be finished.
‘So ako kasi, I’m praying, we’re praying and we’re hoping na may rematch and still negotiation. So maghihintay lang kami sa takdang panahon na ibigay sa amin sa darating na laban next year. Hopefully may magandang mangyayari,’ he told reporters.
‘As of now, wala pa. Hinintay lang namin ang WBO sa laban. But we’re hoping may magandang result para sa amin,’ he added.
The 37-year-old Suarez, who holds a record of 18-0-0 (win-loss-draw), said that as the No. 1 contender, he is the mandatory challenger for Navarrete’s belt.
‘Ang pagkakaalam ko kasi, February, dapat ma-defend niya yung belt niya. Kung hindi niya ma-defend o wala siyang laban, pwedeng mabakante yung belt. Mandatory naman tayo,’ he said.
‘Ako naman, gusto ko talaga makalaban din si Navarrete kasi unfinished business ika nga. Maganda na kung maglabana, makuha mo talaga yung title. Katulad sa akin, pagsumikapan ko na talagang clear yung panalo,’ he added.
‘But, alam ko na naghahanda din yan si Navarrete at hindi rin siya umuurong. Gagawin din niya yung best niya. So kung sino talaga ang magaling at manalo sa laban, dun talaga pupunta.’
If ever Navarrete decides to vacate the belt, Japan’s Kenichi Ogawa, the No. 2 in the contender rankings, may be next up for the Filipino.
The 30-year-old Navarrete is holding a 39-2-1 win-loss-draw record with 32 knockouts.