Make or break for Charly

MANILA, Philippines — WBO No. 1 superfeatherweight Charly Suarez is heavily favored to win over unranked Manuel Avila in their 10-round bout for the WBO International crown at the National Orange Show Event Center in San Bernardino, California, this morning (Manila time) but what makes the fight an intriguing battle is the underdog has nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Suarez, 37, hasn’t fought in over a year and the layoff may be a damper. He’s been training with coach Delfin Boholst in Las Vegas the last three months, realizing a loss to Avila will quash his hopes for a rematch with WBO/IBF champion Emanuel Navarrete. Avila, 34, stands in the way of Suarez securing a second crack at Navarrete who should’ve lost to the King’s Warrior by TKO in their first meeting but escaped with a no-decision.

“Si Avila, sa mga laban niya halos nag-lalaro sa long distance at alam na namin saan siya mahina,” said Boholst. “Napag-aralan namin ang galaw niya. Big risk ito kay Charly dahil mawawala siya sa mandatory ng WBO pag-natalo kay Avila. Tinanggap namin itong laban kasi mahirap pag-sumampa sa laban lalo na big fight na walang activity.”

Navarrete avoided an immediate rematch with Suarez by taking on IBF titlist Eduardo Nunez last February and is now in talks to face WBC ruler O’Shaquie Foster. Boholst said Suarez is focused only on Avila at the moment. Suarez’ new promoter Sampson Lewkowicz, who once managed JohnRiel Casimero, is making sure the road is open for a second title shot.

Boholst said he’s been asked by US media if Navarrete is deliberately evading Suarez. “Mayroon mga media nagtatanong sa akin niyan pero sa ngayon, tapusin muna ang laban kay Avila,” he said. “Three months na kami sa US kaya walang jet lag at handang-handa na si Charly.” In Suarez’ corner for the fight will be Boholst, cutman Bobby Jalnaiz and SPLIT-T Boxing Gym owner Eric Belanger.