Suarez delivers as promised
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 14 Dec 2022
It didn’t take long for Rio Olympian Charly Suarez to make good on his promise to show no mercy in halting Indonesian Defry Palulu in their scheduled 12-round bout for the vacant IBF Asia superfeatherweight title in Vietnam Saturday night. Suarez blasted Palulu from pillar to post and left him unable to continue at the end of the second round, prompting Thai referee Surat Soikrachang to end the fight.
Palulu surrendered in his corner, complaining of blurry vision in his left eye and what seemed like a broken nose. A swelling was evident on the bridge of his nose. The loss ended an unbeaten streak of 11 fights, including a technical draw with Filipino Rey Juntilla, since 2017 as Palulu’s record dipped to 25-3-2, with 14 KOs. Suarez upped his mark to 14-0, with 8 KOs and registered his first abbreviated win in his last four outings. He’s now the WBA Asia, IBF Asia and Philippine 130-pound champion.
Palulu, 31, stood 2 1/2 inches taller and enjoyed a reach advantage but Suarez, 34, wasn’t dismayed. Suarez repeatedly penetrated Palulu’s southpaw defense with a jarring right straight and never allowed the Indonesian to take control. In the first round, Palulu came out aggressively but Suarez found his counter range early, sending the Indonesian known as the “Unseen Hammer” on his backfoot. “Sukatan kami sa umpisa,” said Suarez who finished the brief contest unmarked. “Timing lang. Ako ang nagdala ng laban at ‘di ko siya inayaan mauna. ‘Di ako nagmadali, jab at upper straight ang ginamit ko, kung minsan counter, kung minsan pasugod.”
Suarez turned on the heat in the second round as he unloaded furious combinations to push Palulu into the corners where he sought refuge. The Filipino “King’s Warrior” dominated each exchange with Palulu retreating under heavy fire. Curiously, Suarez said he didn’t look for a quick ending. “Balak namin ni coach (Delfin Boholst), bumanat umpisa ng fifth round at ingat lang na walang cut sa first hanggang fourth round baka tigilin ng referee at maging technical draw,” he said. But when Palulu showed signs of slowing down, Suarez attacked to finish him off. “Tinamaan siya sa mata at ininda niya kasi pikit ng pikit,” said Suarez. When the bell rang, Palulu walked back to his corner and declined to come out for the third round.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Villarosa to fight Antaran on Dec. 18 in Bucana
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 10 Dec 2025Opening Day Concludes at the 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
Wed, 10 Dec 2025Mangin is rising star in PH taekwondo
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 09 Dec 2025CHICKEN RANCH CASINO RESORT BACKS DECEMBER 13 NIGHT IN STOCKTON
Tue, 09 Dec 2025Brackets Set for 2025 USA Boxing National Championships in Lubbock
Tue, 09 Dec 2025Petecio, Bautista, 4 others see action in SEAG on Dec. 10
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 09 Dec 2025TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Super Welterweight Yoenis Tellez Ready for Redemption Bout vs. Kendo Castaneda on December 13
Tue, 09 Dec 2025Hot prospect Marco Romero Prepared to close 2025 in style
Tue, 09 Dec 2025PH favored in SEA Games triathlon
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 09 Dec 2025Tamayo settles to a draw in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 08 Dec 2025Apolinar fails in WBO Asia Pacific title bid
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 08 Dec 2025Biendima loses by UD
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 08 Dec 2025OLYMPIC BOXING 6: 1932 OLYMPICS AT LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
By Maloney L. Samaco, Mon, 08 Dec 2025MONTE-CARLO SHOWDOWN VI FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS AS MASOUD BEATS McGRAIL
Sun, 07 Dec 2025Pitbull Cruz and Lamont Roach Battle to Controversial Majority Draw in High-Intensity Title Clash
Sun, 07 Dec 2025