Emanuel Navarrete’s controversial technical decision win over Charly Suarez in defense of his WBO junior welterweight title has been overturned by the California State Athletic Commission and ruled a no-contest after a unanimous vote Monday. Following the ruling, the WBO ordered a rematch.
The fight took place May 10 at Pechanga Arena in San Diego, with Navarrete awarded the decision when the fight was stopped after a ringside doctor deemed that the champion was unfit to continue because of a cut over his left eyebrow at the start of the eighth round. Referee Edward Collantes ruled that an inadvertent clash of heads caused the cut, and the fight went to the scorecards with Navarrete narrowly holding an edge with scores of 77-76, 78-75 and 77-76.
But less than an hour after the bout concluded, new footage showed that the cut was caused by a punch, and an incorrect ruling had been made. If it had been ruled that a punch caused the cut before the decision was read, Suarez would have been declared the winner by technical knockout because Navarrete was unable to continue fighting.
The CSAC made the ruling after reviewing the new footage. Shortly after, the WBO issued a statement ordering the rematch.
“In light of the foregoing, the World Boxing Organization (WBO) is hereby ordering a rematch,” the statement read.
Carl Moretti, Top Rank vice president of boxing operations, said during the meeting that his company would honor the WBO’s ruling for a rematch.
Navarrete (39-2-1, 30 KOs), of Mexico, was a significant favorite against Suarez (18-0, 10 KOs), of the Philippines, but was given all he could handle in the fight. Suarez was coming on strong at the time of the stoppage and the decision allowed Navarrete to retain his world title.
But now the expectation is that they will get the opportunity to sort it out in the ring at a later date. Navarrete is currently on medical suspension from the California commission until July 9.
