Navarrete Retains Title in Gritty Technical Decision Over Suarez

Emanuel “El Vaquero” Navarrete made his return to Pechanga Arena San Diego aiming to deliver a crowd-pleasing victory — and while he left with his WBO junior lightweight title intact, it wasn’t quite the triumph he envisioned.

Navarrete (40-2-1, 32 KOs) retained his belt Saturday night after an eighth-round technical decision win over Filipino challenger Charly Suarez (18-1, 10 KOs). The bout was stopped early due to a deep cut over Navarrete’s left eye, which referee Edward Collantes deemed the result of an accidental clash of heads.

From the opening bell, Navarrete brought his signature chaos, throwing wild right hands and leaping left hooks that bloodied Suarez’s nose in the first round. Suarez, a 2016 Olympian, had his moments but often found his punches glancing off gloves or missing the mark.

The tide shifted in round six when Navarrete suffered the cut. Both fighters continued to trade heavy blows into the seventh, with blood streaming from Navarrete’s wound. When the eighth round began, the ringside doctor called a halt to the action.

The judges awarded Navarrete the win with scores of 77-76 (twice) and 78-75.

“It’s that warrior spirit of being a Mexican that helped us today,” Navarrete said afterward. “I felt strong, I felt complete. The headbutt changed the outcome, but until that moment, I was in control.”

Suarez accepted the result with grace but called for a rematch: “I’m sad, but that’s boxing. I know Navarrete won, but I’d like another shot at him.”

Muratalla Claims Interim IBF Title, Eyes Lomachenko Showdown

Southern California’s own Raymond Muratalla (23-0, 17 KOs) turned in a dominant performance, outclassing Russia’s Zaur Abdullaev (20-2, 12 KOs) en route to a lopsided unanimous decision to capture the Interim IBF lightweight title. Scorecards read 119-109 twice and 118-110.

Muratalla controlled the tempo, using a probing lead hand and sharp counters to keep Abdullaev at bay. The 28-year-old mixed in quick combinations, then deftly stepped out of range before his opponent could respond.

Despite Abdullaev’s efforts to press the action, Muratalla’s speed and precision kept him comfortably ahead throughout the fight.

“He was tough, no doubt,” said Muratalla. “But I stuck to the game plan, used my skills, and won every round. I’m ready for Vasiliy Lomachenko. It would be an honor to face him.”

Undercard Highlights

Junior Lightweight: Andres Cortes (23-0, 12 KOs) returned after an 11-month layoff and cruised to a clear 10-round unanimous decision over Spain’s Salvador Jimenez (14-2-1, 6 KOs). Scores: 100-90 (twice), 99-91.

Welterweight: San Diego’s Giovani Santillan (34-1, 18 KOs) earned a hard-fought 10-round unanimous decision against Mexico’s Angel Beltran (18-3, 11 KOs). Fighting at the site of his only career loss, Santillan secured redemption with a clean sweep on all three cards (97-93).

Junior Bantamweight: Rising prospect Perla Bazaldua (2-0, 1 KO) impressed in her Top Rank debut, dominating Mona Ward (0-2) over four rounds. Judges all scored it 40-36.

Lightweight: Alan Garcia (16-1, 11 KOs) survived an early scare in round two before regaining control and outboxing Cristian Medina (8-3-1, 5 KOs) for a unanimous decision. Scores: 79-73 across the board.

Junior Featherweight: Tijuana’s Sebastian Hernandez (20-0, 18 KOs) went the distance for the first time, overcoming a tough test from former title challenger Azat Hovhannisyan (21-6, 17 KOs) to win a unanimous decision. Scores: 98-91 on all cards.

Junior Welterweight: Sammy Contreras (2-0, 1 KO) shut out Dyllon Cervantes Alvarado (4-6-1, 2 KOs) in a four-round unanimous decision. Scores: 40-36 from all three judges.