Suarez faces biggest fight of his career

CEBU, Philippines — The undefeated Filipino world title hopeful Charly “King’s Warrior” Suarez takes on what is by far the toughest test of his career as he challenges WBO super featherweight champion Emanuel “El Azteca” Navarrete of Mexico on Saturday night (Sunday, May 11 Philippine time) at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California.

“I prayed for this fight. And here it is. The opportunity has come, and I have taken it. And we won’t lose,” said the 36-year-old Suarez during the event’s final press conference last Friday.

“I’m bringing all my amateur experience into this fight. This is it. The world title shot is here, so I’m ready and I’m excited for the fight on Saturday,” the former Olympian added.

Suarez sports a perfect 18-0 record spiked with 10KOs. He scored a spectacular third-round stoppage of

American Jorge Castaneda in his previous match on September 20 last year at Glendale’s Desert Diamond Arena.

“This is a good opportunity for me to represent my country and to show the  world that Filipinos are good at boxing and that Filipinos and Mexicans put on great fights,” the pride of San Isidro, Davao del Norte said.

But it won’t be an easy task for Suarez.

He’s up against the hard-punching Navarrete, a three-division world champion who has held the WBO junior lightweight crown since he grabbed the vacant belt with a ninth round TKO of Liam Wilson in February 2023.

“I prepared for a great fight. We know that Suarez is coming for my title. So I want a great fight so everyone can see I’m ready to continue on the path of victory,” said the 30-year-old Navarette, who holds a 39-2-1 win-loss-draw card laced with 32KOs. — (FREEMAN)