MASAM SPORTS 11: CHARLY SUAREZ FACES TOMJUNE MANGUBAT FOR THE VACANT WBA ASIA SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 13 Jan 2022
Olympian Charly Suarez will face knockout artist Tomjune “Wardog” Mangubat to vie for the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) Asia Super featherweight title on March 5, 2022 in Paranaque City, Metro Manila.
VSP Promotions is spearheading the fight and the WBA has already approved the bout as an announcement was posted on its social media page on January 4, 2022.
Suarez was supposed to battle Roldan Aldea but was forced to withdraw from the regional title fight due to injury. Mangubat was subsequently hired as the substitute.
In his last bout, the 33-year-old Suarez proved why he is a three-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist by dominating previously unbeaten Delmar Pellio, 99-89, 99-89, 100-88 in the “Ultimate Knockout Challenge” on December 4 at the Elorde Sports Center in Parañaque City.
Suarez almost blanked Pellio who won only one round in one scorecard in a 10-round super featherweight bout. Suarez was a gold medalist in the SEA Games held in Laos in 2009, Jakarta in 2011 and Manila in 2019. Suarez was a 2014 Asian Games silver medalist in Incheon, South Korea. He fought in the 2016 Rio Olympics in Brazil.
The 24-year-old Mangubat is coming off a four-fight winning streak. He has a career record of 15 wins with 12 KOs with two losses and one draw. In his latest outing, he beat Allan Villanueva by 7th round knockout on December 10 at the IPI compound in Mandaue City.
Prior to that win, he defeated Ernie Sanchez by UD, Ryan Maano by TKO4, and Reymond Empic by TKO3, to recover from his split decision loss to Korean Jong Seon Kang for the vacant WBO Oriental youth featherweight title in Vietnam in 2019.
Suarez from San Isidro, Davao del Norte, will have his gallantry tested when he locks horns against the highly capable and skilled Mangubat from Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.
Suarez is undefeated with nine wins and six knockouts. Suarez fought five times last year. Aside from Pellio, he won against Lorence Rosas by KO4, Eduardo Mancito by UD, Pablito Canada by TKO4, and Jonjon Estrada by UD.
Charly Suarez alias "King's Warrior" has fought 46 rounds in 9 fights with a KO rate of 66.67%. The orthodox fighter stands 5′ 5½″ (167cm).
Tomjune Mangubat alias "War Dog" has fought 82 rounds in 18 fights with a KO rate of 66.67%. The orthodox fighter stands 5′ 8″ (173cm).
Chief trainer Julius Erving Junco is positive that his ward will beat the Olympian and bring home the title belt.
“We are confident but not too confident. We believe in our training and ability. We will take this fight seriously, but I know we have a big chance. Youth is on our side, range size and power advantage. We will put out a good exciting fight,” said Junco on Mangubat's chances.
“This fight is, not just an acid test but really a solid matchup. We know Suarez is an Olympian and has great experience during his amateur years,” Junco was quoted by Cebu Daily News.
Suarez is looking forward to winning gold medals and giving glory to the country in the coming Southeast Asian Games and Asian Games next year.
“The training in pro boxing and amateur is different, but it’s easy to make the adjustment because I fought as an amateur for a long time. That is where I began my career,’’ Suarez told the Philippine Sportswriters Association.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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