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| Emanuel Navarrete's controversial win against Charly Suarez is now officially a no contest. Top Rank (file photo) |
MANILA--The California State Athletic Commission officially scratched off the result of the controversial title bout between Emanuel Navarrete and Charly Suarez.
The CSAC unanimously voted to overturn what ended up as a Navarrete technical decision win into a no contest.
This means what could have been Navarrete's 40th win and Suarez's first loss in the pro ranks are now omitted.
Controversy surrounded the match as referee Edward Collantes, after stopping the fight right at the end of the seventh round following the medic's advice, ruled that the cut on Navarrete's left eye area was caused by an accidental headbutt, sending the match into the partial tally.
Navarrete was ahead in all three scorecards after Round 7, giving him the technical decision win.
However, a new slow-motion footage showed that Suarez actually caused the cut with a punch, sparking public outrage that it should have been a technical knockout win for the former Filipino Olympian instead.
The CSAC already hinted at overturning the outcome into a no-contest hours after the controversial end of the May 11 (Philippine Time) showdown.
Suarez's camp, led by former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson, launched an appeal to completely overturn the result and make it a TKO win.
However, the CSAC just ruled the no contest verdict and apparently turned down the protest.
With that said, the World Boxing Organization can now set an immediate rematch between Navarrete and Suarez for the Mexican champ's WBO junior lightweight title.
However, Navarrete can only be cleared for action as soon as July 9 when his medical suspension ends.
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