By REYNALD MAGALLON
Charly Suarez flaunted his firepower and scored a sensational third-round technical knockout victory over Jorge Castaneda to wrest the World Boxing Organization international super featherweight title at the Desert Diamond Arena in Arizona on Saturday, Sept. 21.
As if announcing his desire and readiness to conquer the world, the 36-year-old pride of San Isidro, Davao put up a masterful performance capped by a vicious left hook that knocked down his American opponent midway through the third frame.
While Castaneda managed to beat the count and get back up, the Filipino pug went for the kill and detonated a heavy three-punch combination that sent him down the second time, this time flat on his back, enough for the referee to stop the fight at the 2:22 mark.
Suarez not only kept his record unblemished with an 18-0 slate with 10 knockouts but also boosted his bid of getting the chance to challenge WBO super featherweight champion Emanuel Navarrete. He is now rated No. 3 in the WBO rankings
Castaneda, who was a late replacement after Suarez’s supposed opponent in WBO No. 2 Andres Cortes withdrew from the fight, dropped to a 17-4-0 slate with 13KOs.
Even as a late replacement though, Castaneda tried to put up a decent fight behind his reach and size advantage but was caught by Suarez’s firepower and speed.
The Filipino went on to work early, landing whistling combinations that hurted and staggered the 27-year-old American. The punishment started to become visible to the face of Castaneda beginning the second round before the end finally came in the third.
