Suarez back to pro ranks
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 21 Feb 2020
Charly Suarez.
Rio Olympian Charly Suarez has returned to professional boxing after claiming his third Southeast Asian Games gold medal last year but isn’t shutting the door on trying to qualify for the Tokyo Games if the opportunity comes his way.
Suarez, 31, was spectacular in hitting paydirt in the 60 kg lightweight category at the SEA Games last December, mowing down Paing Min Arkar of Myanmar by a stoppage and Vu Thanh Dat of Vietnam and Khunatip Pidnuch of Thailand, both via 5-0 decisions. Then, he opted not to join the ABAP team that will compete at the Asia/Oceania Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Amman, Jordan, on March 3-11.
ABAP secretary-general Ed Picson said Suarez may still catch the Olympic bus through the world qualifiers in Paris in May but that depends on how Ian Clark Bautista performs in the 57 kg featherweight division in Jordan. In the Olympics, the limit for the lightweight division has been bumped up to 63 kg, three more than in the SEA Games.
“Charly may be too small for 63,” said Picson. “He told me he’ll try for 57 if Bautista doesn’t qualify in Jordan.” The Philippine bet in the 63 kg division of the Amman qualifiers is James Palicte who took the 64 kg lightwelterweight gold in the recent SEA Games. Suarez said he could drop down to 57 kg or move up to 63 kg for a chance to fight in his second Olympics. “Kahit saan ako sa dalawa,” he said.
Last Feb. 7, Suarez was in Santo Domingo, Ilocos Norte, to notch his fourth win in the pro ranks, flooring Dave Barlas thrice before referee Jerrold Tomeldan stopped it at 0:53 of the third round. Barlas was decked by a left to the body in the second round and fell twice more in the third. The win raised Suarez’ pro record to 4-0, with 4 KOs and it was the longest Suarez has been in the ring. In his previous three bouts, one ended in the first round and two finished in the second.
Suarez said he’ll fight in Vietnam on April 11 against a hometown hero with a 12-1 record. Last October, he did a four-round exhibition in Vietnam and was paid $5,000. Boxing is picking up in Vietnam and a local promoter Vietnam Sports Platform (VSP) is staging the April 11 card outdoors in Nguyen Hue before an expected crowd of over 20,000. Suarez will be featured along with foreign fighters from Australia, England and Sweden. VSP’s matchmaker is Robert Hill.
Suarez is now in Davao to celebrate his mother’s birthday. He plans to return to Manila next week but continues to train. When he comes back, Suarez said he’ll work out at the ABAP gym. “Welcome ako sa ABAP,” said Suarez. “Kung bigyan ako ng opportunity ng ABAP to fight sa qualifiers, lalaban ako.”
Suarez said he received P750,000 as a bonus for capturing the gold medal at the recent SEA Games. He gave a third of the prize or P247,500 to his trainer, former ABAP fighter Delfin Boholst.
Suarez said he hasn’t received the monthly allowance of P40,000 from PSC as a SEA Games gold medalist. Technically, he’s not in the ABAP pool. “Kailangan kasi ng attendance sa ABAP bago magka-allowance,” he said. Suarez has to make up his mind soon whether to stay pro or focus on trying to clinch a slot in the Tokyo Olympics.
In a week, Suarez trains about 42 hours to keep in shape. Experience will be on his side if he guns for an Olympic slot in Paris. One of the highlights in his amateur career was battling Ukraine’s Vasyl Lomachenko in the eighth round of the World Series of Boxing season in 2013. Suarez lost to Lomachenko on points. In two previous World Series bouts, Suarez defeated Germany’s Robert Harutyunyan and Tajikistan’s Anvar Yunusov. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Suarez lost to Wales’ Joe Cordina, 2-1, in the first preliminary round.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat is the new FIDE World Senior 65 over category Rapid Champion
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Thunderdome 48 - Jude Grant vs Fano Kori
Sun, 24 Nov 2024World Boxing backs plan to create a new Confederation in Asia
Sun, 24 Nov 2024The message is clear – Asian Boxing Confederation remains united with the IBA
Sun, 24 Nov 2024OSCAR DE LA HOYA FOUNDATION HOSTS 25TH ANNUAL TURKEY GIVEAWAY FOR EAST LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Life vs. Death: The Ultimate Ringside Showdown Immortalized in Pierce Egan’s Boxiana
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 23 Nov 2024SPORTS SHORTS 284: TEAM MARK MAGSAYO CONFIRMS RETURN TO THE RING ON DECEMBER 14
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sat, 23 Nov 2024RJP Boxing promotes in Bucana on Dec. 17
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Good Prospects at Minimumweight, Light Fly, Super Bantam and Super Feather in 2025
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Filipino International Master Chito Danilo Garma is the new World Senior Blitz champion; Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat takes the bronze medal
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 23 Nov 2024KAMBOSOS JR SIGNS CO-PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM
Sat, 23 Nov 2024INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME TO ANNOUNCE CLASS OF 2025 ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5th
Sat, 23 Nov 2024Ring Master promotes in Calinan on Dec. 21
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024NP Bansalan boxing team in Matalam
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024New York, Minnesota Biggest Trade Gainers; Los Angeles Has the Rookie Draft Steal
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 22 Nov 2024