Suarez gets crack at WBO champ

MANILA, Philippines — Former amateur boxing standout Charly Suarez, who had a late start to his pro career, is finally getting a long-awaited shot at a world title.

The 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics veteran turned pro in 2019, when he was already 30 years old.

Six years later, he gets a chance to add “world champion” to his resume as he is booked to challenge World Boxing Organization titlist Emmanuel Navarrete at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California on May 10 (May 11 Manila time).

It will be Suarez’ 19th pro fight – with 18 wins and 10 knockouts – and it should be his toughest challenge as a pro.

“Answered prayer,” Suarez told mediamen last Monday at a mini presser held at the Quezon City mansion of former Ilocos Sur Gov. and sports patron Luis “Chavit” Singson, who now manages Suarez’s boxing career.

“Many are saying it’s kind of impossible (winning a world title) because of my age, but I believe if something is meant for you, then indeed it is and no one can get in your way. So when Gov. (Singson) called me on the phone to offer me the fight – I was at church that time – I almost cried,” Suarez added in Filipino.

It was Singson himself who struck a deal with Top Rank Inc. – which promotes both Suarez and Navarrete – that led to the Filipino’s crack at the dangerous Mexican.

“This is another chance for us to have a world champion. Huwag lang madadaya (as long as we don’t get cheated),” said Singson, pointing out that Suarez keeps getting sidelined for the world title before he entered the picture.

Suarez and Singson were accompanied in the presser by the former’s head trainer Delfin Boholst, who said they already have a game plan against Navarrete and lined up sparring partners who have a similar physique and style as the champion.

Suarez faces an uphill battle against the 30-year-old Navarrete (39-2-1, with 32 KOs), a three-division world champion who has also held titles at super bantamweight and featherweight.

Known as a pressure fighter with extreme durability, Navarrete counts Filipinos Glenn Porras, Jhun Gemino, Juan Miguel Elorde and Jeo Santisima among his victims.