No mercy from Suarez

MANILA, Philippines — Three-time SEA Games gold medalist Charly Suarez promised no mercy in his scheduled 12-round fight against Indonesian southpaw Defry Palulu at the Grand Ho Tram Strip, Vung Tao, Vietnam tonight and quoting Sen. Robin Padilla, said he’ll grab this opportunity to win the vacant IBF Asia superfeatherweight title in a springboard for bigger things.

“Sabi ni Senator Robin, kagatin ang break at ‘yan ang gagawin ko,” said Suarez. “’Di ko pakakawalan ito. Foreigner ang kalaban kaya walang awa ako sa ring. Pag-Pinoy ang kalaban at kakilala mo, medyo pigil ka kasi pareho kayong may hangarin. Opportunity ito na makapasok sa world ratings at ‘di ko sasayangin. Ang dasal ko ay manalo ng walang injury at darating pa malalaking laban na sana may world title fight.”

Suarez, a 2016 Olympian, said the Palulu bout is like the final in the amateur ranks. This is his fifth fight of the year and he’s won every assignment to raise his record to 13-0, with 7 KOs.

Suarez said at 34, he’s a late-blooming pro because of a long amateur career but it’s not too late to make waves. His dream is after beating Palulu, to battle UK’s Joe Cordina, the man who beat him in the Rio Olympics by a split decision and a former IBF superfeatherweight champion. And once Cordina is out of the way, Suarez said he’ll go for the world title. But if God has a calling to fight in the SEA Games again, Suarez said he’ll do it. “Ang Panginoon ang bahala,” he said. “Kung wala naman conflict sa pangarap kong maging world champion, lalaban uli ako sa SEA Games, Asian Games at Olympics.”

Suarez’ manager/trainer Delfin Boholst said training camp went smoothly with sparmates WBC Asia Boxing Council Continental lightweight titlist Jules Victoriano, Jetro Pabustan, undefeated Ryan Racaza, JL Laurente and Roy Sumugat. Also in the Vietnam card is the fight for the IBF Asia lightweight crown between Iloilo’s Arnel Baconaje and hometowner Hong Quan Dinh. Three other Filipinos will see action in four-round exhibitions as Jon Jon Estrada faces Thai Hong Huy, Pabustan meets Le Hoang Hiep and Marjon Yap takes on Phan Minh Quan.