Charly Suarez looks forward to ‘roots’ return, eyes PH team slot

Charly Suarez wants to rediscover the thrill of winning bouts for the Philippines. —SHERWIN VARDELEON

Boxer Charly Suarez has been busy hitting the bag for an upcoming professional fight in an exclusive training ground in Taguig City.

Though Suarez is laser-focused preparing for his Dec. 4 tussle against fellow undefeated Delmar Pellio, part of him looks ahead at the prospect of bringing home gold medals for the country in the coming Southeast Asian (SEA) Games and Asian Games next year.

“The training in pro boxing and amateur is different, but it’s easy to make the adjustment because I fought as an amateur for a long time. That is where I began my career,’’ Suarez told the Philippine Sportswriters Association forum on Tuesday.

The three-time SEA Games gold medalist recently got a special invite from the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (Abap) to don the national colors in the 31st SEA Games in Hanoi, Vietnam, on May 12 to 23.

Abap president Ed Picson said the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Olympian would have to undergo the usual process of training under the national boxing federation to prove himself worthy of a spot for the team in the SEA Games.

“I just have to make those necessary adjustments. The coaches know the training program that I should go through. It will all depend on how I will adopt and implement the program,’’ said Suarez in the weekly program backed by San Miguel Corporation, Milo, Pagcor, Amelie Hotel and Braska Restaurant.

From 10 rounds in the pros, Suarez will have to shift to a shorter three-round exercise where speed and punch accuracy matter more than power.

The 33-year-old Suarez, a silver medalist in the 2014 Asian Games, has had a busy schedule as a professional, winning all of his eight fights, six by way of knockout in the super featherweight division since he elevated to the pro ranks.

“Every professional fighter dreams of becoming a world champion. This dream fuels me to keep on going. I have more things to learn as a pro boxer,’’ said Suarez.

But it seems the thrill of going up the medal podium in the SEA Games, the Asian Games and even in the Olympics has encouraged Suarez to go back to his roots, where he first made a name for himself.

“I spent 15 years as an amateur and I thank the Abap, the officials, coaches and my fellow boxers for the things that I learned. It’s always an honor to fight for our country,’’ said Suarez.

Once he hurdles the challenges of the coming SEA Games, Suarez will train his sights on the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, on Sept. 10 to 25, and the qualifying tournaments for the 2024 Paris Olympics afterwards.