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| Charly Suarez received a citation from the Philippine Sportswriters Association for his standout performance in pro boxing last year. Ivan Saldajeno |
MANILA—Charly Suarez's camp is examining some of Emanuel Navarrete's previous fights to see how his opponents handled the reigning WBO junior lightweight champion as their title fight looms.
According to Suarez's longtime head coach, Delfin Boholst, during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday at the PSC Conference Room inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, they are keenly taking a look at Navarrete's bouts against Liam Wilson and Robson Conceicao.
"Sa nakita ko kay Navarrete, sa unang round ng laban niya kay Liam Wilson, nag-relax siya. Sa fourth round, natumba siya noon," Boholst said.
Despite Wilson's shock early game, Navarrete recovered in the mid-game and eventually finished Wilson off in the ninth round.
On the other hand, Conceicao showed heart despite getting floored twice in the bout and salvaged a majority draw against Navarrete, although the latter got to keep his belt.
"Nagkuha ako ng idea about kay Conceicao kasi nag-draw pa sila. Biruin mo? Dalawang beses bumagsak si Conceicao doon. Automatic 8-10 ang score pero naging draw pa," Boholst further said.
From there, Boholst deduced that Navarrete tends to "chill out" in the early rounds but gets furious later in the match.
Suarez and Navarrete square off on May 11 (Philippine Time) for the WBO 130-pound belt at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, and the 36-year-old former Olympian finally gets his world title shot.
Suarez is currently holding his training camp in Tagaytay with former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson backing him up.
“Para akong bllyonaryo sa bahay na pinahiram ni Gov. sa Tagaytay,” said Suarez, adding that a world title in the pro ranks would more than make up for missing out on the Olympic gold during the 2016 games in Rio De Janeiro.
Singson then gave Suarez a marching order: "My wish for him is to win at all costs. Kailangan manalo si Charly by knockout or ‘yung convincing."
Suarez, Boholst, and the rest of the team will fly to the United States next week to cap the 18-0 boxing star's training camp.
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