Suarez beats veteran opponent, retains WBA title

CARLO ANOLIN

Charly Suarez defeated Mark John Yap in an exciting12-round duel and retained the World Boxing Association (WBA) Asia super featherweight title Sunday night, Aug. 7, at the Elorde Sports Complex in Paranaque City.

The two boxers gamely slugged it out and gave the spectators a night to remember but it was Suarez who emerged victorious, winning on all scorecards 120-108, 118-110, 120-108, to remain undefeated in pro career.

“It was a great learning experience for me. This fight taught me how to be patient and be tactical when facing a resilient boxer like Yap,” said Suarez. 

The 2016 Rio Olympic boxer hiked his clean slate to 12-0, seven by knockouts.

Suarez’s camp is hoping the win will give him the opportunity to earn a lucrative fight the next time.

The 33-year-old Olympian threw bombs from all angles apart from jolting his veteran international rival with precise combinations to the delight of a highly-appreciative weekend crowd.

As Suarez connected with whistling punches, Yap, also 33, would retaliate with body punches to earn as many points.

Still, it was Suarez who landed the more powerful combinations and hooks beginning the 10th round until the final clapper.

Both boxers seemed to be gassed out in the last round and brawled it out, throwing desperate punches at each other as the crowd went frenzy with their classic slugfest.

The defeat was Yap’s fourth straight in a 30-17 win-loss record that included 15 by knockouts.