No-contest ruling awaited
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 15 May 2025
The word is the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) will declare the recent WBO superfeatherweight title fight between defending champion Emanuel Navarrete and Charly Suarez a no-contest as if it never happened. The ruling will nullify the unanimous technical decision that was previously announced to favor Navarrete. It will also cleanse Suarez’ record from the stain of a loss. CSAC has set a hearing on June 2 to decide on the case.
In a conversation the other day on SEAG Live, Suarez said his dream is to retire undefeated so if ever, the ruling will keep it alive. CSAC has jurisdiction over the fight which was held in San Diego last Saturday and whatever it decides, the WBO will abide by. If it’s declared a no-contest, the WBO will order an immediate rematch. Suarez’ coach Delfin Boholst said Top Rank CEO Bob Arum, vice president of operations Carl Moretti and matchmaker Brad Goodman have all given their assurance of arranging a rematch.
Suarez said he leaves it all up to God. Although he felt strongly that a punch, not a headbutt, caused the cut on Navarrete’s forehead prompting the stoppage, Suarez never complained. He accepted the decision like a man. Instead of ranting and raving, Suarez chose to be silent, respectful and humble. In sports where trash-talking and abusive language now seem to be the norm, Suarez’ attitude is a throw-back to when athletes stood proudly as honorable competitors. He’s a class act.
To be fair, Suarez should be awarded the WBO belt because enhanced video replays confirmed that Navarrete was cut by a left straight. The supposed headbutt was a slight brush, nothing impactful as to cause a wound that went two layers of skin deep. Navarrete obviously playacted to make it appear he was severely butted. If referee Edward Collantes ruled that the cut was opened by a punch, Suarez would’ve won by TKO. A formal appeal by the Suarez camp to overturn Navarrete's win has been submitted to CSAC.
The complication of a no-contest lies in how bets are settled. If a no-contest is declared for the Navarrete-Suarez fight, a bettor should get his or her money back on a wager for the challenger because the loss would’ve been nullified. But if a bettor was already paid for a wager on a Navarrete win, it’s not likely to be returned.
If a bout is waved off because a fighter is ruled unfit to continue because of a wound inflicted by an accidental headbutt within the first four rounds, it’s declared a no-contest. An example of a no-contest was when Mike Tyson fought Orlin Norris in 1999. Tyson decked Norris after the bell rang ending the first round. Norris injured his knee in the fall and was unable to continue so the fight was declared a no-contest. In 1998, Bernard Hopkins was accidentally pushed out of the ring by referee Mills Lane while trying to break up a clinch[QH1] with Robert Allen in the fourth round. Hopkins was injured and the fight was declared a no-contest. In 2011, CSAC overruled referee Pat Russell’s decision to award Chad Dawson a TKO win over Hopkins and declared a no-contest when it affirmed an accidental stumble caused the stoppage due to a shoulder injury. It’s now up to CSAC to make the right call and erase Suarez’ undeserved loss.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
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