News broke earlier this month that super featherweight titlists Emanuel Navarrete and O’Shaquie Foster had agreed to meet in a three-belt unification on October 24th in San Antonio. One lingering issue remained, however: WBO mandatory challenger Charly Suarez, who’s been waiting over a year for the “immediate rematch” promised him following what should have been a TKO victory over “Vaquero.”
That appears to have been settled, as WBO president Gustavo Olivieri announced earlier today that the sanctioning body will allow the belt to be on the line, contingent on the winner facing Suarez within 180 days.
I don’t need to sell you on Navarrete (40-2-1, 33 KO) vs Foster (25-3, 12 KO); it’s one of the best fights the current boxing landscape has to offer. Navarrete was in career-best form in last February’s mauling of Eduardo “Sugar” Nunez and Foster has been a consistent standout for years. Can’t say this ruling doesn’t leave a bad taste in my mouth, though; Suarez (19-0, 11 KO) would have gotten Navarrete’s belt had replay been utilized and he already stepped aside once to let the Nunez fight happen.
Ah, well. Hopefully they’ll do right by him eventually. We’ll let you know when and if they make Navarrete vs Foster official.
