Charly Suarez is in a mad rush to secure a world title shot.
At 34, time is no longer on the side of the Rio Olympics veteran.
Coming off a come-from-behind 12th-round knockout win over previously unbeaten Paul Fleming in New South Wales last week, Suarez insists he is ripe and ready for a shot at a world title. Yeah, you read it right.
Even with just 15 fights, all wins, with nine knockouts, Suarez swears he can bang with the super-featherweight division’s creme dela creme.
“World championship,” Suarez said after stopping Fleming.
The problem is, Suarez is not tied with an influential guy who can make things happen.
In boxing, a talented fighter like Suarez needs somebody who has solid connections.
Perhaps, it would be ideal if Suarez taps Sean Gibbons, the do-it-all American boxing man who wields power and influence.
Suarez’s stock is expected to rise following his win over Fleming in the battle of Olympic veterans.
Before facing the Australian prospect, who fought in the 2012 London Olympics, Suarez was already ranked No. 8 by the US-based International Boxing Federation.
When the other boxing bodies release their monthly ratings, don’t be surprised if Suarez’s name appears in the top 15.
Still, a world rating is not a sure ticket to a world title shot.
Boxers need somebody like Gibbons or some other guy with similar sparkling credentials.
If Suarez ends up struggling to find one, he might see himself one day dropping out of the ratings without ever getting that coveted world title shot.
Time is running out for Suarez.
Meanwhile, Suarez and his lead trainer, Delfin Boholst, also a former national team standout, will be reunited in the gym in about two or three weeks.
“He starts training again in April,” Boholst said just hours after their arrival in Manila from Australia last Monday.
There is a sense of excitement in Suarez.
Reporting back to camp means one thing.
His next fight could lead him to that one fight he’s longing for.
