SUAREZ FACES TOUGH AUSSIE OPPONENT

*story courtesy Manila Standard

Former Olympian and still unbeaten pro boxer Charly Suarez faces a fellow undefeated opponent in Paul Fleming of Australia in what could be the toughest stumbling block to his world title dream.

The showdown between the two undefeated fighters will be held in Australia on March 17, with multiple super featherweight 130lb titles on the line, including the International Boxing Federation Intercontinental, World Boxing Association Oceania, World Boxing Council Asian Boxing Council and the International Boxing Organization Intercontinental belts.

“This will be the biggest fight in Australia this year,” said Robert Hill, Suarez’s promoter.

“Paul Fleming is Showtime, and he is facing the best boxer I have seen from the Philippines — point blank,” he added.

Suarez, who has 18 wins with 8 knockouts, is still fresh from his conquest of the International Boxing Federation Asia junior lightweight with a technical knockout win over Defry Palulu of Indonesia at the Grand Ho Tram Hotel in Vietnam last Dec. 10.

Two months earlier, the many-time Southeast Asian Games champion decisioned compatriot Carlo Magali to successfully defend the World Boxing Association Asia Super Featherweight title.

“Paghahandaan namin ito ng maayos. Magandang opportunity ‘pag nakuha namin ito” said Suarez’s coach and manager, Delfin Boholst.

Hill said Suarez was earlier being pitted against Japan’s top-rated Super Featherweight Yoshimutsu Kimura for the IBF Asia title, but the Japanese was knocked out in a non-title bout last week in Tokyo, hence, the focus was moved to Fleming.

Suarez’s exploits in the ring was also recognized by the Philippine Army, which promoted him to Private First Class for his achievements last year, including being named Boxer of the Month by the WBA Asia.

No less than Army Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., pinned the new rank on Suarez in a ceremony held at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Jan. 13.

As an amateur, Suarez won three golds — two in lightweight (2011 Jakarta, 2019 Manila) and one in the featherweight (2009 Laos) — and one bronze (2017 Kuala Lumpur) at the Southeast Asian Games. He also competed at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where he dropped a split decision to the unbeaten IBF world champion Joe Cordina.

Paul Fleming of Australia is also a man of many accomplishments. The indigenous star is a former esteemed amateur and Olympian, and is undefeated in 28 professional fights.