Tagumpay! Charly Suarez Claims WBO International Title with First-Round Knockout

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Filipino contender Charly “King’s Warrior” Suarez made a triumphant return to the ring on Saturday night, capturing the World Boxing Organization International Super Featherweight title at the National Orange Show Event Center.

From Kwentong Sports ni Kuya Jay Rivera, Philippine Times of Southern Nevada, page F-2.

Suarez needed just two minutes and thirty-one seconds to dispatch Mexican-American veteran Manuel Avila, bringing an emphatic end to the scheduled ten-round co-main event.

No Ring Rust After a 14-Month Layoff

Returning from a nearly 14-month layoff, the 37-year-old Davao del Norte native showed zero ring rust from the opening bell. He immediately established ring generalship, pressing forward with a sharp, disciplined jab and finding early success with crisp right-hand counters.

Midway through the opening round, Suarez began backing Avila against the ropes with heavy, calculated combinations. The decisive moment arrived late in the frame when he unleashed a multi-punch sequence punctuated by a flush right hand to the jaw, followed by a sharp left to the temple. Avila beat the count, but his visibly wobbling knees prompted referee Ray Corona to stop the contest with 29 seconds remaining in the first round.

“I spoke of knocking him out quick,” Suarez said following his victory. “I listened to my coach, upgraded my training, and did my best in the ring. This victory is for God and for the Filipino people who have supported me.”

With the win, Suarez extended his undefeated professional record to 19-0 with 11 knockouts, while snapping Avila’s three-fight winning streak.

Back in Line for a World Title

The dominant win firmly re-establishes Suarez as the mandatory challenger for the WBO super featherweight crown. His previous outing, in May 2025 against unified champion Emanuel Navarrete, ended in a controversial eighth-round stoppage initially awarded to Navarrete by technical decision because of a cut over the Mexican champion’s eye. Subsequent video review confirmed the cut was caused by a legitimate punch rather than an accidental headbutt, leading officials to formally overturn the result to a No-Contest.

Despite the WBO ordering a mandatory rematch, Navarrete pursued a unification bout against Eduardo Nunez to add the IBF title. Promotional representatives indicate that if Navarrete elects to move forward with a multi-belt unification against WBC champion O’Shaquie Foster, Suarez could potentially meet former three-division champion Vasiliy Lomachenko, with the winner positioned to face the unified champion.

This story appears in the September 7, 2026 edition (Vol. 21, No. 873) of the Philippine Times of Southern Nevada. Read the complete digital edition online.

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