World champion Emanuel Navarrete’s recent victory over Charly Suarez is on the verge of being changed to a no-contest, following a rare post-fight video review by the California State Athletic Commission.
Navarrete was defending his WBO super-featherweight title in San Diego when he sustained a cut above his left eyebrow in the sixth round. By the eighth, the fight was stopped due to the severity of the cut, with Navarrete’s vision compromised.
Initially, the bout was ruled a technical decision win for Navarrete, as judges believed the cut was caused by a punch. However, video footage reviewed after the fight cast doubt on that conclusion. Although a left hook landed before an apparent clash of heads, the exact cause of the cut remains unclear.
Referee Jack Reiss, who consulted the replay during the fight, said there was no conclusive evidence it was caused by a punch. Based on this and further review, officials are expected to overturn the result to a no-contest—a rare move in professional boxing.
If confirmed, Navarrete would retain his title, with a rematch against Suarez likely. Navarrete commented, “I felt it was a headbutt… a rematch would be good.” Suarez, confident in his performance, said, “I thought I had a chance to win… I had five more rounds.”
