Charly Suarez awaits WBO decision on formal grievance for Navarrete rematch

Filipino boxer Charly Suarez, the No. 1 WBO junior lightweight mandatory challenger, is waiting for an official decision on his grievance following the controversial outcome of his fight involving Emanuel Navarrete and Eduardo Núñez.

Suarez’s team filed a formal grievance with the World Boxing Organization (WBO) after a disputed fight result earlier in the year, seeking clarification and action on the mandated rematch that has yet to be scheduled.

The original bout between Suarez and Navarrete took place on May 10, 2025, in San Diego, where the WBO super-featherweight title was at stake. 

The fight was stopped in the eighth round due to a cut suffered by Navarrete, and the referee ruled it an accidental headbutt, sending the bout to the scorecards and awarding Navarrete a technical decision victory.

However, subsequent review by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) found that the cut was caused by a clean punch from Suarez.

Under standard boxing rules, a cut from a legal punch that leads to a stoppage should result in a technical knockout for the puncher, and not a decision via the cards. As a result, the CSAC overturned the original decision to a no-contest.

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WBO Jr. Lightweight Mandatory Challenger, Charly Suarez, together with his manager Rick Navalta and coach, shared that their formal grievance challenging the sanctioning and approval of the upcoming Navarrete–Nunez world title unification bout, is already under review. | via… pic.twitter.com/iaYUfE0Y98

— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) December 16, 2025

The WBO then ordered a rematch between Suarez and Navarrete, but negotiations have stalled. 

Suarez’s camp has raised concerns that upcoming unification talks between Navarrete and Núñez have progressed without resolving the mandatory rematch order.

Team Suarez has publicly requested clarity from the WBO on the status of the rematch, asserting that the failure to set terms undermines the mandatory challenger’s rights.

As of mid-December, Suarez and his management are still awaiting an official reply from the sanctioning body. They insist the fighter remains ready to compete and is focused on securing the opportunity he believes he earned through his performance and the subsequent corrective ruling.

The outcome of the grievance will determine whether the rematch is scheduled or if future bouts, including potential title unification fights involving Navarrete,  proceed without Suarez’s involvement.

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