Charly Suarez faces unbeaten Andres Cortes with eye on title shot

Filipino boxer Charly Suarez (middle) talks about his chances against  Andres Cortes ahead of their 10-round eliminator bout on September 20. He is flanked by his manager Arnold Vegafria and his coach Delfin Boholst. –CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Filipino boxer Charly Suarez resumes his quest for a potential title shot when he takes on Andres Cortes in a 10-round eliminator on September 20 in Glendale, Arizona.

A former national boxing team skipper, Suarez is just a win away from earning a crack at the World Boxing Organization (WBO) super featherweight crown.

The 36-year-old Suarez believes it’s never too late to chase his dream of becoming a world champion.

READ: Charly Suarez defends WBA Asia belt, decisions Mark Yap

The pride of Davao del Norte, a three-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist and a former Olympian, has won 17 straight fights since he turned pro on January 1, 2019.

His latest victory was a unanimous decision win over Luis Coria last April 13 in Corpus Cristi, Texas.

Suarez, managed by Arnold Vegafria and backed by former Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson, is fighting under Bob Arum’s Top Rank Promotions.

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

He is scheduled to leave on Sunday Las Vegas for the last phase of his preparation against a fellow unbeaten fighter in Cortes (22-0-0).

Cortez, who hails from North Las Vegas, Nevada, is almost a decade younger than Suarez at 27. He is coming off a tough unanimous decision win over  Abraham Nova in June.

Suarez, who also holds the rank of Private First Class in the Philippine Army, proudly swears by his Christian faith and goes by the moniker “King’s Warrior.”