Suarez, Lewkowicz Ask the WBO to Enforce Navarrete Rematch and Begin Negotiations Immediately
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 21 Jul 2026
The experienced Filipino Super Featherweight from San Isidro, Davao del Norte, remains the WBO # 1 contender, hoping the organization will enforce its previous order for a rematch.
Charly "The King's Warrior" Suarez wishes that the WBO will grant him the rematch he earned.
Following a dominant knockout win last weekend, the undefeated Filipino and his promoter Sampson Lewkowicz have formally asked the WBO to reactivate the process for a rematch with Mexico's popular super featherweight champion Emanuel Navarrete.
The push comes after Suarez extended his unbeaten record to 19-0, with 11 KOs, by stopping Mexican Manuel "Tino" Avila (26-3-1, 9 KOs) in the 1st round on the ProBox TV card at the Orange Show Events Center in San Bernardino, California.
The fight was Saturday's co-main event, and the Avila is a very good boxer with good record and experience, not a patsy at all! In fact, Suarez was the one risking his # 1 ranking. He took the risk. That we appreciate and respect.
As a result, with his win, Charly Suarez not only retained his # 1 ranking in the WBO super featherweight division, but also claimed up the WBO International super featherweight title. FANTASTIC WORK!
The Backstory: Why Suarez Wants Navarrete Again
As we all remember, Suarez and Navarrete first met in May 2025 in what ended in controversy.
The fight was stopped in round 8 due to an ugly cut over Navarrete's left eye. Officials initially ruled it came from an accidental headbutt, and Navarrete was awarded a unanimous technical decision victory.
Suarez tags Navarrete with a right to the head.
But after reviewing video replays, the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) later determined that the cut was caused by a legal punch. The result was changed to a "No Decision."
Following that ruling, the WBO ordered an immediate rematch. However, that rematch never materialized because Navarrete was granted permission to pursue a unification bout against then-IBF champion Eduardo "Rocky" Hernandez. Navarrete won via round 11 TKO and added the IBF belt to his WBO title.
"He’s the # 1 Contender"
Now, with Suarez still sitting at the top of the WBO rankings, the well-respected Lewkowicz, who is an old friend of the Philippines, states that it's time for the sanctioning body to follow through. We all agree.
"By defeating Manuel Avila, Charly Suarez once again proved that he is the number one contender for Emanuel Navarrete's title," Lewkowicz said.
"We expect the WBO to enforce its resolution and order the start of negotiations for the rematch."
Suarez’s trainer and manager, Delfin Boholst, echoed that sentiment, saying the team’s main goal remains winning a world title. According to Boholst, the first-round KO over the Mexican Manuel Avila confirmed that at 37 years of age Suarez is still performing at an elite level, and is ready for another shot at the world title. And we all agree with that too!
What’s Next?
With his mandatory challenger status intact, and full backing from his team and fans, Suarez now awaits on the WBO's response. I hope it will be positive.
The rematch with Navarrete has been pending since the controversial ending to their first fight 14 months ago. For the Charly Suarez, it’s the fight he believes he deserves.
Suarez record: 19-0, 11 KOs
Navarrete record: 39-2-1, 32 KOs | WBO & IBF Super Featherweight Champion
The author Carlos Costa is a veteran boxing reporter in Cebu, carlos@philboxing.com
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
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