Navarrete Vs. Suarez Result Overturned

The technical decision draw between Emanuel Navarrete and Charly Suarez has been overturned into a no-contest.

The fight was stopped in round eight after Navarrete experienced a cut over his right eye. This was after an accidental headbutt. However, the replay showed that Saurez connected with a left hand before the clash of heads. The commission could not say for 100 percent that the cut was due only to the punch. However, there was enough doubt to say that the result should be overturned. Bob Arum has previously said that he wants an immediate rematch, something which the WBO has also stated. Meanwhile, the two fighters had differing views over whether there should be a rematch. 

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“It was clear that that after they reviewed, albeit late, the tape, it showed it was caused by a punch and not by a head butt. What I’m working on, and I don’t know if I can pull it off, is October is the 50th anniversary of the ‘Thrilla in Manila’ and I’d love to go back to the same building, the Araneta Coliseum, which has now been remodeled, and do this fight in Manila as a celebration of the Ali-Frazier fight,” Arum said

“Well, there’s a lot of things we still need to talk about. I don’t manage my career by myself. We have [my manager], along with Top Rank, so we have to talk about a few things. But a rematch would be very good for all because there were still things pending in this fight. So, we can’t rule him out,” Navarrete stated 

“I want a rematch with Emanuel Navarrete. because it was a good fight. … I respect Navarrete because he’s a good boxer. And if they give me a chance to rematch, it’s my honor. And I will do my best that the fight is very excellent and entertaining,” Suarez

Suarez has now been given the chance to secure the WBO Junior Lightweight Belt as he seeks to prove he belongs at this level. 

“[It was] the only fair thing to do. Suarez punched (Navarrete) directly where he got cut, but I’m always against changing a loss to a win,” Dr. AnnMaria De Mars (commissioner)