Official: Navarrete–Suarez Declared No-Contest, WBO Orders Immediate Rematch

The California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) has unanimously ruled to overturn the result of the May 10 fight between WBO super featherweight champion Emanuel Navarrete (39-2-1, KO) and undefeated Filipino contender Charly Suarez (18-0, 10 KOs). The bout, originally ruled a technical decision win for Navarrete, has now been declared a no-contest, and the WBO has officially mandated an immediate rematch.

The bout in San Diego ended in the eighth round due to a severe cut above Navarrete’s left eyebrow. Referee Edward Collantes determined the cut was caused by an accidental head clash in the sixth round, prompting the fight to go to the scorecards: 77-76, 78-75, 77-76 — all in favor of Navarrete (TD-8).

However, during the CSAC hearing, commissioners reviewed slow-motion footage showing that the cut was clearly caused by a clean punch from Suarez, not a clash of heads. The commission concluded that the decision was based on inaccurate information, and the correct and fair course of action was to invalidate the result entirely.

“If proper video replay had been available to the officials in the immediate aftermath of the stoppage, Suarez would have been awarded the win,” the commissioners stated. “Navarrete could not continue due to a legal punch — that’s a TKO.”

Commissioner Anna Marie De Mars noted: “I’m not in favor of simply flipping a loss to a win, but Suarez landed a shot that caused the fight-ending injury. This ruling is fair.”

Top Rank VP Carl Moretti confirmed that the promotion will comply with the WBO’s order and organize a rematch “within a reasonable timeframe.”

Navarrete is now medically suspended until July 9 by the California commission.

Charly Suarez’s attorney, Ricardo Navalta, voiced his disappointment despite understanding the commission’s decision:

“These fighters dedicate their lives to moments like this. Being denied a fair opportunity — it hurts. My client was robbed of his moment of glory.”

The rematch is expected to be scheduled later this year.