Suarez to face Navarette, Magsayo ordered to fight in world title eliminator

Over the last week or so our good friend OLE [@pinoyboxingno1] has reported details regarding two major world level bouts involving Filipino fighters.

One of those will see former Filipino amateur standout Charly Saurez (18-0, 10) get a huge opportunity, as he takes on former multi-weight world champion Emanuel Navarrete (39-2-1, 32), in an attempt to take the WBO Super Featherweight title from Vaquero, with the bout set for May 10th in California.

Suarez, one of the best Filipino amateurs in recent memory, was tipped for big things when he turned professional in 2019, despite the fact he was 30 when he debuted. Sadly his career as a professional hasn’t kicked on like some had hoped, and instead of being moved quickly he has had to wait more than 6 years since his debut for a shot at the top, not helped by Covid19 affecting the world early in his professional career. Now aged 36 it really is now or never for him. As for Navarrete, the all action Mexican warrior is looking to make his 4th defense of the title, and build on his recent win over Oscar Valdez, a win that he really needed following a draw with Robson Conceicao and a loss, albeit at Lightweight, against Denys Berinchyk.

Navarette will be the clear favourite here, he is more proven, younger and has an style that although unique has been very effective, whilst Suarez, although unbeaten is very much unproven in and around world level.

The other bit of news is that former WBC Featherweight champion Mark Magsayo (27-2, 18) has been ordered to face Eduardo Hernandez (37-2, 32), in a world title eliminator at 130lbs, in what looks like a much more competitive and interesting match up.

Although there is no date set for this bout, it is a truly mouth watering one between two talented yet flawed fighters with very different styles. Magsayo is a very technical fighter, who has had his best success with a rather frustrating but effective style that can be regarded as somewhat negative, not spoiling but certainly holding back somewhat. He’s lacked power, and has shown a lack of drive, at times, to take the fight to his opponents, and has made fights much harder for himself than he’s needed to. That was particularly notable with his wins over Shota Hayashi, Rigoberto Hermosillo and Julio Ceja all being much, much tougher than they should have been. As for Hernandez he’s aggressive, exciting and loves taking the fight to his opponents. His most notable bout to date was his 2023 loss to O'Shaquie Foster, in a WBC Super Featherweight world title bout, where he was stopped in the 12th round of a bout he was leading on 2 of the 3 cards. Since that loss he has gone 3-0 and will feel he learned from that fight, and can now go all the way to not only beat Magsayo but also win the WBC title down the line. Given the styles of the two men this one really is interesting and is much, much harder to call than the one between Navarrete and Suarez.
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Whilst this bout has been ordered, and it would be fair to assume both sides want it, the bout isn't yet set, and there is, as of yet, no indication on when it will be taking place.