Two champions took different paths to victory on Saturday at Pechanga Arena.From the opening bell in the main event, WBO Super Featherweight world champion Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete and veteran Charly Suarez of the Philippines let their hands go in a wild, all-action fight.
It ended in dramatic fashion with Navarrete of Mexico (39-2-1, 32 KOs) defending his title by technical decision over Suarez (18-0, 10 KOs) after the champion suffered a wicked cut over his left eye, forcing the fight to be stopped on the advice of the ringside physician one second into the eighth round.
The scores were 78-75, 77-76, and 77-76.
Navarette’s awkward swinging punches and unusual angles don’t work for any other fighter but him. Fans don’t mind the lack of conventional boxing skills, because the champion’s risky approach makes for exciting action.
Both men let loose wild swinging punches, with Navarrete catching Suarez coming in and evading some, but not all, of the returning fire.
Regardless of ending, these two gave it their all ?????@TwistedTea | #NavarreteSuarez pic.twitter.com/kUSJ9x4IB9
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) May 11, 2025The 37-year-old Suarez would not squander his chance to defeat the champion. With his corner team telling him to catch Navarrete coming in, he found success landing his right hook.
Fans wildly cheered on Navarrete with chants of “Mexico, Mexico” and “Vaquero,” but the turn of events in the sixth round silenced them.
Just seconds into the round, Navarrete suffered a wicked cut over his left eye, with blood gushing down his face. Referee Edward Collantes ruled the cut was caused by an accidental headbutt.
The fight continued for two more rounds. Navarrete struggled to keep the blood out of his eyes, wiping it away with his gloves between punches. It was a valiant effort, but no one could argue about the decision to stop the fight.
However, a controversy over the cause of the cut delayed the outcome. The California State Athletic Commission uses replay, and officials looked at replays multiple times. A punch by Suarez immediately preceded the headbutt. Which one was responsible for the cut?
Because the replay was inconclusive, the referee’s original ruling prevailed, and the scorecards were tallied to determine the winner.
Raymond Muratalla won the Interim IBF World Lightweight Title at the Pechanga Arena. (Photo by Chris Stone/Times of San Diego)Navarrete said he had no doubt what caused the cut. “From the first moment of the impact I knew it was a headbutt. It split my eyebrow. It was a headbutt,” insisted Navarrete.
Suarez felt the cut came from a punch, thrown after he switched to a southpaw stance, which also led to the headbutt. But he accepted the result, calling it part of the game.
“It is an honor to see him like that, he is such a fighter. I am proud of myself, with my team,” said Saurez. Thanking his fans in the Philippines, Suarez said he would like a rematch, “to prove who is best. I have a big hope in myself I can make this fight again.”
Navarrete said he owed his loyal fans in San Diego his very best effort, especially after his loss in San Diego one year ago. “Honestly, I feel I was in debt to the fans in San Diego. I am very committed to you. Thank you for your support in my entire career and sharing these important moments.”
Muratalla’s measured path to victory
Undefeated Southern California favorite Raymond Muratalla of Fontana (23-0, 17 KOs) entered Pechanga to a wall of noise from the enthusiastic fans who came to see him face Zaur Abdullaev of Russia (20-2, 12 KOs) with the vacant IBF interim lightweight world title at stake in the co-main event.
Muratalla took control and won the title with a lopsided decision in his favor. Scores were 118-110, 119-109 and 119-109.
Raymond Muratalla has won the IBF 'interim' lightweight belt. Could IBF champion Vasiliy Lomachenko be next❓ pic.twitter.com/SHci5s3Nhe
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) May 11, 2025“It feels great, man. It feels great to finally have this around my waist,” said Muratalla. “I couldn’t do it without my team.”
He said he was aware Abdullaev was a tough fighter with a solid amateur pedigree. “He came to fight, I knew that. I used my skills and picked him apart.”
Muratalla was patient through the first few rounds, with the crowd cheering every solid power punch landed. The pair picked up the pace by the fourth round. Muratalla had success with body punching and uppercut combinations as he closed the distance with Abdullaev.
Abdullaev responded with a snapping jab to keep Muratalla back.
Muratalla played it smart, as he was well ahead on the scorecards and did not need to put himself at any risk of losing the fight by being careless.
Abdullaev knew he was well behind and had nothing to lose. He has two 12th round knockout wins on his record. Muratalla, sensing fans were restless as he cruised to a victory, was willing to trade to entertain them, but he was also defensively responsible and didn’t throw away the fight.
According to CompuBox statistics, Muratalla landed 140 of 533 total punches thrown (26%), against 87 of 452 punches landed by his opponent. Muratalla also landed 31 body punches.
He said he was pleased with his improved defense. “Thanks to my team, my defense is something we’re working on a lot.”
Muratalla won an interim title Saturday. The IBF World Lightweight champion, Vasiliy Lomachenko of Ukraine, has been idle and it’s not known whether the accomplished veteran will return to boxing or retire. Lomachenko faces an Oct. 8 deadline to decide. If he returns, Muratalla is his mandatory challenger, and he wants his shot.
“I’m the mandatory for him. That’s what I’m looking forward to,” adding that he would love to add Lomachenko’s name to his resume.
“If it doesn’t go through, I’ll fight who I need to fight. “I’m coming to win. I don’t play boxing. This is what I do. I’m serious about this and I want all the belts,” said Muratalla.
For more boxing from Pechanga Arena, see San Diegan Giovani Santillan feels hometown energy in unanimous decision.
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