FAN-FRIENDLY puncher Emanuel Navarrete is gearing up to make the fourth defence of his WBO world super-featherweight strap against undefeated contender Charly Suarez.
It was announced just yesterday that the pair will headline a Top Rank card at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California, on May 10.
After an unsuccessful jump up to lightweight, Navarrete, 39-2-1 (32 KOs), moved back down to 130lbs for a rematch with fellow Mexican Oscar Valdez in his last outing.
Coming off a split decision defeat to Denys Berinchyk, the elusive mover was compelled to remind fans that he is, in fact, one of the most dangerous operators in the lower divisions.
Sure enough, the 30-year-old did just that against his countryman, producing a far more clinical display than he did in their first encounter to halt Valdez with a sixth-round finish.
But before chasing unifications against the remaining champions at super-featherweight, the unorthodox technician must first build on his momentum with a comprehensive title defence.
While he is yet to face any world level names in the professional ranks, Suarez, 18-0 (10 KOs), has nonetheless looked impressive against his more limited opponents.
In his last outing, for instance, ‘King’s Warrior’ secured an emphatic third-round stoppage victory over sturdy gatekeeper Jorge Castaneda.
As an amateur, the Filipino made it to the Rio Olympics in 2016, only to lose a split decision in his preliminary bout against former world champion Joe Cordina.
Yet now, it is fair to say that, at the age of 36, Suarez will not only have to roll back the years but perhaps even pull a rabbit out the hat against a proven champion like Navarrete.
