A thirty-minute replay has undone a world-title verdict: the California State Athletic Commission has unanimously overturned Emanuel Navarrete’s May 10 victory over Charly Suarez, changing it to a no-contest and prompting the WBO to mandate an immediate rematch. Video shown at Monday’s hearing proved that the gruesome gash over Navarrete’s left eyebrow came from a flush right hand— not the accidental head clash initially cited by referee Edward Collantes when he halted the bout and sent it to the cards.
The original tally at San Diego’s Pechanga Arena had favored Navarrete by scores of 78-75, 77-76 and 77-76, allowing the Mexican three-division champion to retain his super-featherweight belt. Monday’s ruling wiped that win away, sparing the still-undefeated Suarez the first blemish of his career but costing him a coronation many ringsiders felt he had earned on the night.
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Commissioner Dr. AnnMaria De Mars conceded the sequence was “bang-bang and hard to see” in real-time yet called the reversal “the only fair thing to do.” Suarez’s attorney, Ricardo Navalta, said the Filipino contender had been “deprived of his moment” but welcomed the chance to set matters straight under brighter scrutiny.
Top Rank’s Carl Moretti confirmed the promotion will stage the rematch “in timely fashion.” First, Navarrete must serve a medical suspension that lasts until July 9, giving both camps just enough runway to turn controversy into closure later this year.
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Image Credit: Top Rank