MANILA, Philippines — Rio Olympian Charly Suarez isn’t wasting time to establish himself as a serious title contender and said yesterday two more fights are lined up within the next three months to short-cut his campaign for a world championship shot.
Last week, Suarez made a rousing pro debut, scoring a knockout over Ernesto Cagampang at the Barangay Tablon Gym in Cagayan de Oro. A left hook to the side of the body sent Cagampang down for the count at 0:24 of the second round. Referee Delbert Pelegrino worked the scheduled six-rounder.
Suarez’ next assignment is set for 10 rounds in Panabo, Davao del Norte, on March 5 with the Mindanao Pro Boxing Association (Minproba) superfeatherweight crown at stake. Vergil Degoma was initially tipped to face Suarez but has backed out. A replacement is now being recruited. Then, on April 27, Suarez will battle a still unnamed foreigner, probably from Thailand, for the vacant WBC Asia Pacific belt in a 12-rounder at the Davao del Norte Sports Complex in Tagum. On the same card, minimumweight Mark Anthony Barriga will make his first appearance in a WBO Asia Pacific championship bout since his loss to Mexico’s Carlos Licona for the IBF crown in Los Angeles last month.
Suarez said Engineer Joseph Basang of Rep. Tonyboy Floirendo’s office is coordinating the promotion of both fights. President Duterte, former Secretary Bong Go and Gen. Bato de la Rosa are expected to attend the Tagum double championship card.
WBO Asia Pacific chairman Leon Panoncillo was at ringside to witness Suarez’ demolition of Cagampang and assured the Olympian that if he continues to win, a top 10 ranking will be his reward by the end of the year. “Sabi ni Sir Leon, kung manalo ako ng five straight fights, pasok na ako sa top 10 rating at baka pwede na akong lumaban for the world title,” said Suarez. “’Yan ang aking pangarap, makalaban for the world title at maging world champion.”
Suarez, who was Vasyl Lomachenko’s last amateur opponent before turning pro, said he didn’t take Cagampang lightly. “Nag-ingat ako sa first round at alam ko, experienced fighter si Cagampang,” said Suarez. “Gumamit ako ng jab for pacing tapos nag-follow up ako ng straight sa ulo at katawan. Hindi ko binigla. Sinukat ko muna siya. Sa last 10 seconds ng first round, tinamaan ko sa tiyan at nasaktan siya. Kaya, pag-umpisa ng second round, sinugod ko kaagad at binanatan ko sa tagiliran. Biglang lumuhod siya at hindi na bumangon.”
In Suarez’ corner were his manager/trainer Delfin Boholst, his father Antonio and cutman Sadam Barriga. He scaled 132 pounds for the fight while Cagampang tipped in at 133. Cagampang entered the ring brandishing a 2-0 record, with 2 KOs.
Suarez said a few days after the fight, he reached out to ABAP secretary-general Ed Picson to share the news of his win. “Si Sir Ed, parang ama ko na rin at matagal ako nasa ABAP,” he said. “Noong nagpaalam ako sa kaniya para mag-pro, iyakan kaming dalawa. Binalitaan ko si Sir Ed kung ano nangyari sa CDO at tuwang-tuwa naman siya. Sabi niya, welcome akong makipag-spar at makipag-train sa Philippine team. Nagpapasalamat ako sa kaniya at kina ABAP president Sir Ricky Vargas at ABAP vice president Pato Gregorio sa kanilang suporta mula noon hanggang ngayon.”