IOC axe leaves out Suarez
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 21 Feb 2021
Charly Suarez.
Three-time SEA Games gold medalist Charly Suarez’ hopes for a return to the Olympics were dashed when the IOC Boxing Task Force decided last Monday to cancel the world qualifying tournament which would’ve been held in Paris in June. Suarez, 32, competed at the 2016 Rio Olympics where he lost a split decision to England’s Joe Cordina in his Summer Games debut and had dreamed of a comeback to erase the bitter memory of the hairline defeat.
Since Rio, Suarez turned pro and has compiled a 5-0 record, with 4 KOs. Last week, he outpointed Jonjon Estrada in his first 10-rounder, scoring a shutout in two of the three judges cards, in Paniqui, Tarlac. His plan was to join the ABAP pool now training at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba then proceed with the team to camp in Thailand.
Under the new Olympic weight classifications, Suarez had a choice of fighting as a featherweight (57 kg or 125.7 pounds) or lightweight (63 kg or 138.9). Against Estrada, Suarez scaled 131 pounds and in his five pro bouts, he has never weighed over 132. When he knocked out Virgil Puton in the first round in his third fight, Suarez tipped in at 128 1/2. The Olympic lightweight limit of 63 kg would’ve been too heavy and Suarez said bringing down his weight to 57 kg was doable. In the featherweight class, Suarez had to outshine Junilardo Ogayre, Mario Fernandez and Ian Clark Bautista to make it back to the Philippine team. But that became academic with the world qualifying tournament’s cancellation.
Bautista is the country’s highest-ranked featherweight, meaning if ever the Philippines is awarded a ticket in this division, he would take it, not Suarez, not anyone else. Without the world qualifying tournament, the highest-ranked available Asian will be given a slot in Tokyo. Bautista is ranked No. 17 but two Asians, who haven’t qualified, are higher in the standings so the only way he goes to the Olympics is if No. 7 Erdenebat Tsendbaatar of Mongolia and No. 14 Kavinder Bisht of India back out. That’s a slim chance. However, two Philippine boxers are the highest-ranked Asians not yet qualified in their divisions so it’s likely No. 12 men’s flyweight Carlo Paalam and No. 5 women’s featherweight Nesthy Petecio will advance.
ABAP secretary-general Ed Picson said the other day it's not sure if Paalam and Petecio will make it to Tokyo as the IOC will still announce quota places for Asia with recalculated rankings next month. ABAP is now processing the travel documents of 11 to 12 fighters to leave for training in Thailand. Picson said the door is open for Suarez and Olympic qualifier Eumir Marcial, who’s in Los Angeles, to join the group. The country’s other Olympic qualifier Irish Magno is in the traveling party. It will be preparation for the Olympics and the Hanoi SEA Games late this year. For Suarez, the training will be for a fourth SEA Games gold medal. Picson said the Calamba camp has been smooth sailing. One of the boxers tested positive for COVID upon entering, was treated and quarantined at ULTRA and is now back in Calamba.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Casimero vs Nery for WBA Gold Super Bantamweight Title April 18 in Kyrgyzstan!
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 12 Mar 2026United States Completes Day Three of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup With Five Wins
Thu, 12 Mar 202683 Points! Bam Adebayo makes the second-highest score in NBA league history
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 12 Mar 2026Renz Paolo Nool rules 5th Kenz Gambit Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 12 Mar 2026Benavidez-Ramirez presents his mega fight on "WBC Tuesday Coffe" in Mexico City
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 11 Mar 2026“The Cuban Assassin" Scores Devastating 1st Round Knockout to Remain Undefeated
Wed, 11 Mar 2026Boxlab Promotions Fighters Set to Shine on Matchroom Boxing Card March 21 in Orlando
Wed, 11 Mar 2026World Boxing Futures Cup in Bangkok Update
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 11 Mar 2026Full Card Taking Shape for ProBoxTV’s Martinez Vs. Aleem World Championship Event on Sat., March 21, from NOS Event Center in San Bernardino, CA
Wed, 11 Mar 2026Mike Tyson Invitational Announces Schedule of Events for Amateur Showcase Beginning This Thursday in Las Vegas
Wed, 11 Mar 2026Filipino chess players make a courtesy visit to GAB chairman
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 11 Mar 20263 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Shane Mosley Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
Wed, 11 Mar 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 8 MARCH 2026: Opetaia Outpoints Glanton to Win Inaugural Zuffa Belt; Ricardo Salas, Vlad Panin Register Wins
By Eric Armit, Tue, 10 Mar 2026Brijhana Epperson and Christian Paez Highlight Day Two of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
Tue, 10 Mar 2026Beltran, Prado rule Samal Half Marathon
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 10 Mar 2026