Unbeaten ex-Olympian Charly Suarez gunning for pro boxing glory

When one door closes, another opens.

Such is the case for former Olympic boxer Charly Suarez as he now shifts his focus to his promising professional boxing career and his next fight with fellow Filipino Lorence Rosas on April 24 at Paniqui, Tarlac.

Fighting under VSP Promotions, the 32-year-old Suarez (5-0, 4 KOs) is aiming to get the gold that eluded him back in the 2016 Rio Olympics. Only this time, he’s gunning for world championship belts, not medals.

“Ang aim kasi ng team namin ay hindi lang makalaban, kundi makamit ‘yung minimithi ng pro boxers na umabot sa pro rankings, at makakamit ng belts, WBC Asia o international, at most of all, yung world championships,” he said in an interview with Powcast Sports.

(Our team’s aim is not just to fight, but to achieve better pro rankings, and grab belts like WBC Asia, international, and most of all, world championships.)

Although Suarez admitted he doesn’t know much so far about Rosas (9-5-2, 3 KOs), he is doing his best to keep sharp and in shape for fight night.

“As of now, dahil may mga opportunity na binibigay sa akin ang team at ang VSP Promotions, gina-grab ko po ‘yung mga opportunity na ‘yun. Hopefully, magtuluy-tuloy na ito this year,” he told Powcast.

(As of now, because the team and VSP Promotions are giving me opportunities, I’m just grabbing them all. Hopefully, this continues on for this year.)

There is simply no rest for the weary as Suarez revealed he has been back in training immediately after winning via unanimous decision against Filipino Jon Jon Estrada last February 13.

And the pride of Davao del Norte will likely need all the training he can get, as his promotion itself noted that Rosas is not only a heavy-hitting southpaw, but an unpredictable one as well.

Alongside Rogen Ladon, Suarez is one of only two boxers sent by the Philippines for the Rio Olympics. He fell just a tad short in the opening bout against Great Britain’s Joseph Cordina via a narrow 2-1 split decision.

Suarez leaves the Philippine Olympic scene for now in good hands, as the country will be well-represented in Tokyo with four elite fighters, namely Eumir Marcial, Carlo Paalam, Irish Magno, and Nesthy Petecio. – Rappler.com