Charly’s change of plans

MANILA, Philippines — IBF No. 5 and WBO No. 11 superfeatherweight Charly Suarez was booked to face Puerto Rican Henry Lebron in a 10-round title eliminator in Corpus Christi, Texas on April 13 but a week ago, the three-time SEA Games gold medalist was informed of a change in plans. Lebron backed out for still unclear reasons and has been replaced by Luis Coria of California in an eight-rounder.

Suarez, coach Delfin Boholst and assistant trainer Mark Barriga arrived in Las Vegas to set up camp two weeks back. They’ll fly to Corpus Christi today. In Las Vegas, Suarez opened camp at Sean Gibbons’ Knuckleheads Gym and now trains at the Top Rank facility. “Nagulat kami ng umatras si Lebron,” said Suarez. “Nag-sparring ako sa gym at napansin namin na may Puerto Rican coach nanood. Kinabukasan, nag-announce si Lebron na ‘di na siya lalaban. Si Coria ang kapalit, fighter ang style niya kaya for sure, magandang laban.”

Coria, 25, has a 15-6 record, with seven KOs. He’s coming off a loss by a unanimous eight-round decision to Omar Gamez in Houston last December. The fight against Suarez will no longer be a title eliminator. Suarez said he’ll return home after facing Coria and prepare for his next fight, a title eliminator against undefeated WBO No. 3 contender Andres Cortes of Las Vegas, in June or July. Cortes, 26, totes a record of 21-0, with 12 KOs and a victim was Filipino Genesis Servania who was stopped in one round in 2021. 

Suarez, 35, is racing against time to clinch a world title shot. He turned pro in 2019 after a celebrated amateur career that included a stint at the 2016 Olympics and as a late bloomer, is ripe for a crack at the belt. His target is either IBF champion Joe Cordina of Wales, who beat him on a disputed split decision in the Rio Games, or WBO ruler Emanuel Navarrete of Mexico. Suarez has a three-fight contract with Top Rank facilitated by Narvacan Mayor Chavit Singson and the Coria match will be the second on the road to a title bout. His record is 16-0, with nine KOs.