Suarez vs. Avila live updates, round-by-round coverage
Charly Suarez has chosen to roll the dice. Will this gamble pay off?
In the co-main event of today’s ProBox TV Contender Series, Suarez steps into the ring against Manuel Avila. Though Suarez has a world title bout—not to mention a grudge match—against WBO junior lightweight champ Emanuel Navarrete waiting in the wings, Suarez made the decision to take this tune-up fight in San Bernardino, California.
Suarez is favored to win against Avila, who hasn’t fought in three years, but the risk factor looms nevertheless. If Avila catches Suarez with a combination or two, the Pinoy fighter might be seeing his title fight and his no. 1 contender status slip away.
Will Suarez pull off the win as expected, or will the outcome of this fight exact a heavy cost?
Keep refreshing this page for live updates and round-by-round coverage of the Suarez vs. Avila co-main event.
Final Thoughts
In the end, Suarez’s gamble paid off.
The failure to make weight and the ring rust were both costly for Avila, who was a step behind Suarez in this short-lived affair. As for “The King’s Warrior,” this is as favorable an outcome as he could have hoped for: putting away an opponent efficiently, denying any chance for the underdog to feel any semblance of confidence.
As the commentators noted, though, Suarez’s pathway to Navarrete isn’t a linear one, even after this resounding win. The WBO and IBF junior lightweight champion is in talks with O’Shaquie Foster (who holds the WBC crown in this category) for a title unification bout.
Where does that leave Suarez, who was named as Navarrete’s mandatory challenger by the WBO?
That remains to be seen, but Suarez’s camp has a strong piece of evidence to keep their fighter in the title conversation. The evidence, it should be noted, doesn’t even last three minutes. Which makes it even more compelling.
That’s a wrap for ALL-STAR’s live coverage of the Suarez vs. Avila fight! Join us again next week for more action inside the squared circle.
Avila Definitely Felt That One
Suarez’s right cross midway through the first round was the beginning of the end for Avila. A minute later, coming off a couple of body shots, Suarez landed another beautiful right that made Avila’s legs go wobbly.
With this sensational first-round stoppage, “The King’s Warrior” claims the vacant WBO International Junior Lightweight title. Congrats, kababayan!
Suarez vs. Avila: Round 1
Suarez goes for the body to start the fight. He’s moving forward, but Avila is trying to keep him at bay with jabs. Suarez is throwing some nice combinations, and it’s only a matter of time before he lands some nice blows. SOLID right from Suarez staggers Avila! The Californian looks like he’s now second-guessing himself. Another great right hand from Suarez sends Avila down to his knees. And it’s all over!!! Suarez makes quick work of Avila in this tune-up fight.
A Win by Way of…Disqualification?
DQ finishes to boxing matches don’t happen all that often. In the sweltering environment of San Bernardino, one such finish has just transpired.
In the very first round of the welterweight clash between Ruben Eduardo Aguilar and Tre’Sean Wiggins, Aguilar apparently missed an order by the referee to halt the action off a clinch. As Wiggins diverted his attention to the referee for a brief moment, Aguilar unloaded a right hand that sent his opponent crashing to the mat.
There was no mandatory eight count from the referee, who asked Wiggins’ corner to check on him as Aguilar looked on. Shortly thereafter, the referee waved off the fight. Declaring Wiggins the winner by disqualification, the ref ruled that Aguilar had landed an illegal punch despite the order to stop.
Tough break for Aguilar, who came into the fight with 24 wins and no losses.
Suarez vs. Avila: What Happened at the Weigh-in?
Sound the alarm bells: One of the fighters in the co-main did not make weight.
While Suarez clocked in at 129 pounds during the official weigh-in, the results on Avila’s end were disastrous. After initially coming in at 131.2 pounds (which is 1.2 pounds over the limit in this junior lightweight bout), the California native was given two hours to make weight.
When Avila came back, he tipped the scales at 130.6 pounds. Close call, buddy.
As a result, the vacant WBO International Junior Lightweight strap will only be on the line for Suarez.
If Suarez wasn’t already a massive favorite heading into this fight, he is now.
