Filipino boxing standout Charly Suarez continues to build his legacy as one of the country’s finest fighters, adding another championship belt to his growing collection.
The reigning International Boxing Organization (IBO) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) Inter-Continental Super Featherweight champion claimed the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) International Super Featherweight title after stopping Manuel Avila via first-round technical knockout on July 18 at the National Orange Show Event Center in San Bernardino, California.
Suarez wasted no time asserting his dominance, applying relentless pressure from the opening bell. The Filipino fighter twice trapped Avila against the ropes before delivering the decisive sequence in the final 29 seconds of the round—a clean straight right followed by a sharp left hook that sent his opponent to the canvas.
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The emphatic victory prompted Suarez’s promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz, to call on the WBO to enforce its previous mandate and order a rematch with WBO and IBF junior lightweight champion Emanuel Navarrete.
“By destroying Manuel Avila, Charly Suarez proved once again he is the top contender to Emanuel Navarrete, and we ask the WBO to enforce their order and direct his team to start negotiating for a rematch. Thank you to Garry Jonas and ProBoxTV for giving Charly this high-profile opportunity to show his talents and make a strong case for another title shot,” Lewkowicz said.
Charly Suarez returns to the ring with a Round 1 TKO win over Manuel Avila in San Bernardino
Suarez remains mandatory challenger for Emanuel Navarrete’s WBO Super Featherweight Title following their controversial No Contest last year pic.twitter.com/YFQ50lxPNw
— Tokkerū (@ATokkers5) July 19, 2026
Suarez’s manager and trainer, Delfin Boholst, echoed the call for another opportunity at a world title.
“Charly’s dream is to be world champion, and we feel he deserves another shot at the title. Avila was a capable opponent, and Charly had no problem with him. We are ready for another shot at the world title,” Boholst said.
The push for a rematch comes after Suarez’s controversial first encounter with Navarrete earlier this year. The Filipino challenger appeared to be on his way to a potential upset before the bout was stopped at the beginning of the eighth round at Pechanga Arena in San Diego after ringside doctors ruled Navarrete unable to continue because of a severe cut above his left eyebrow.
With the fight ending prematurely, the judges awarded Navarrete the victory on the scorecards, 78-75, 77-76, and 77-76, allowing the Mexican champion to retain his title.
However, the result sparked debate over the cause of Navarrete’s cut, with questions raised on whether it was caused by a clean punch from Suarez or an accidental clash of heads. Had the injury been ruled the result of a punch, Suarez would have been declared the winner by technical knockout.
Unhappy with the outcome, Suarez’s team filed an appeal with the California State Athletic Commission, seeking a review of the controversial ending.
With his dominant win over Avila, Suarez has strengthened his case for another shot at Navarrete and moved one step closer toward his ultimate goal of becoming a world champion.
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