Emanuel Navarrete escapes Charly Suarez title defense with technical decision

Defending WBO world super featherweight champion Emanuel Navarrete gave Charly Suarez his first defeat following a debated technical decision nod on Sunday (Philippine time) at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California.

There was no warming up as both fighters came out swinging right from the first bell, which resulted in Suarez getting hurt early with a clean right straight.

Suarez recovered and pressed the action in rounds two and three, dazzling the Mexican with his combinations and hand speed. Naverrete was back to his volume punching in round 4, finding the body and head of Suarez.

A body shot had Suarez hurt before the round ended, prompting Navarrete to throw everything he had at the Filipino. A hard left hand from Suarez, followed by what looked like an accidental head clash, opened a huge cut on Navarrete's head in round 6.

Suarez swarmed Navarrete as blood dripped down the Mexican's eye. They brawled in round 7 with Suarez getting the better of the exchange. With blood flowing down his face, the ringside physician advised to stop the contest at the start of round 8, earning Navarrete a technical decision nod.

The win improved Navarrete’s professional boxing record to 40-2-1 with 32 knockouts while Suarez dropped to 18-1 with 10 knockouts.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News