The official status of Emanuel Navarrete`s technical decision win against Charly Suarez is expected to be decided on June 2, according to recent reports.
Navarrete, the WBO world super-featherweight champion, successfully defended his title last Saturday, but the outcome of the fight was immediately put under scrutiny.
The fight was stopped in the eighth round because a cut over Navarrete`s left eyebrow, sustained in the sixth round, was judged too severe for him to continue.
Referee Edward Collantes initially ruled the cut was the result of an accidental head clash, leading to the decision being based on the judges` scorecards up to that point.
The scorecards favored Navarrete (40-2-1, 32 KOs). However, subsequent video replay analysis showed the cut was actually caused by a punch from Suarez (18-0, 10 KOs).
Despite this, veteran official Jack Reiss, serving as the video replay official for the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) at the time, did not overrule Collantes` initial call.
Consequently, Suarez and his team formally appealed the result, seeking to have it changed to either a no-contest or, preferably, a technical knockout victory for Suarez.
Reports indicate that Suarez`s appeal will not be reviewed until the CSAC`s next scheduled meeting on June 2.
WBO President Gustavo Olivieri confirmed via social media that the WBO will wait for the CSAC`s decision before making its own ruling, which could include ordering an immediate rematch.
He posted on X (formerly Twitter) yesterday: “Given that the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) has legal authority and jurisdiction over this bout, the WBO must wait for CSAC`s official final and definitive ruling before taking further action.”
