Charly Suarez crushes Mexican foe in Round 1, stays on track for Emmanuel Navarrete rematch

Filipino contender Charly Suarez re-established his place at the top of the super featherweight division with a spectacular first-round knockout of Mexico’s Manuel Avila on Saturday night (Sunday, Philippine time) in San Bernardino, California.

The co-main event clash at the National Orange Show Events Center only lasted two minutes and 31 seconds.

Showing no sign of ring rust despite a 14-month layoff, the 37-year-old Suarez immediately controlled the distance with crisp right hands. He then connected with a flush right to the jaw followed by a sharp left to, leaving Avila unable to unable to continue with just 29 seconds left in the opening frame.

With the victory, the undefeated Davao del Norte native captured the vacant WBO International Super Featherweight title, pushing his flawless record to 19-0 with 11 knockouts.

The statement victory also marks a triumphant return for Suarez, who had been out of action since a controversial no contest against Emanuel Navarrete last May.

In that championship contest, Suarez appeared to have victory secured when a punch cut Navarrete and forced a medical stoppage in the eighth round. However, the referee ruled the cut was caused by an accidental headbutt, allowing Navarrete to keep his belt.

The WBO initially ordered an immediate rematch, but Navarrete prioritized a unification bout against Eduardo Nunez, where he claim the IBF belt.

—JKC, GMA News