Charly Suarez set to turn pro

MANILA, Philippines — Rio Olympian and two-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Charly Suarez will make his professional debut as a superfeatherweight soon with the target of winning a world title within two years.

Suarez, 30, said it took four months of soul-searching before deciding to end his celebrated amateur career, surrendering his P40,000 monthly allowance from the PSC. Now that he has a GAB license, Suarez is itching to get back into the ring and open a new chapter in his boxing journey. Suarez’ trainer Joven Jimenez, who also works with IBF superflyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas and minimumweight contender Mark Anthony Barriga, said the timing is right to turn pro.

“Disiplinado at may lakas, pang-pro si Charly,” said Jimenez. “Nandoon sa kaniya yung gutom makakuha ng belt. Super excited na kami. Pagkatapos ng four or five fights, baka world title shot na kaagad ang susunod para kay Charly.” Jimenez said he’s arranging a six or eight-round bout for Suarez in his first pro fight.

Suarez said when it comes to his future, he never makes a rash decision. “Kinunsulta ko si Gen. Benjamin Magalong at ABAP secretary-general Sir Ed Picson,” he said. “Pinagisipan kong mabuti. Alam ko, malaking sakripisyo ang maging pro pero handang-handa na ako sa itong bagong pagsubok.” Suarez said he’s dedicating this leap to the pro ranks to God, the country and his family. He’s now based at Jimenez’ Survival Camp in Magallanes, Cavite.

Suarez said his timetable is to fight in the pros until 37. “Noong nasa national team ako, halos pro na rin ang mga laban ko sa WSB (World Series of Boxing),” he said. “Nasanay na ako ng walang headgear at scoring system ng pro.”  Fighting in the WSB, Suarez lived seven months in Mumbai and a year in Milan while under contract with AIBA. Suarez was Vasyl Lomachenko’s last opponent in the amateurs before the Ukrainian turned pro. Suarez was floored by a body shot and lost a unanimous five-round decision to Lomachenko in 2013.   

At the Rio Olympics, Suarez dropped a 2-1 split decision to the UK’s Joe Cordina in his only outing. Coming off treatment for a right shoulder injury, he went on to settle for a bronze at the SEA Games in 2017. Now, Suarez is fit and ready to make an impact in the pros. “Matalino si Charly at may lakas,” said former national teammate and now Survival Camp assistant trainer Delfin Boholst. “Mataas ang skill level niya. Malayo ang kaniyang mararating sa pros.”

Suarez, a Business Administration graduate, said if he didn’t decide to turn pro, he would’ve enrolled in Bible school to become a pastor. But at the moment, his priority is to work his way to securing a world title crack within two years.