Charly Suarez is getting a shot at redemption as the World Boxing Organization (WBO) has ordered an immediate rematch against Emanuel Navarrete, following the California State Athletic Commission’s (CSAC) decision to overturn the Mexican champion’s controversial win.
Navarrete was initially declared the winner via eighth-round technical unanimous decision in their May 10 bout, after a ringside physician stopped the fight due to a cut above Suarez’s left eye. The referee had ruled the injury was caused by an accidental headbutt.
However, fight replays clearly showed the cut resulted from a clean punch thrown by Suarez. After a formal review, the CSAC unanimously overturned the result, declaring the fight a No Contest.
In response, the WBO issued a formal order for a rematch, stating:
“The California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) has officially ruled the bout between Emanuel Navarrete and Charly Suarez as a ‘No Contest.’ In light of the foregoing, the World Boxing Organization (WBO) is hereby ordering an immediate rematch.”
The decision reopens Suarez’s path to the WBO junior lightweight title, keeping his championship hopes alive after what many saw as an unfair result.