The WBO has ordered Navarrete (40-2-1, 33 KOs, 1 NC) to fight Charly Suarez next. The IBF and WBO champion is being asked to immediately engage in discussions as both sides have just 20 days to lock in a deal. If an agreement is not in place by the deadline, the sanctioning body will take matters into its own hands.

“Please be advised that the WBO World Championship Committee has unanimously voted to order negotiations between Unified WBO/IBF Jr. Lightweight Champion, Emanuel Navarrete & the #1 world-rated contender & mandatory challenger, Charly Suarez to discharge pending mandatory obligation,” WBO President Gustavo Olivieri wrote on his X account. “The parties are granted twenty (20) days to reach terms. Failing an agreement, purse bid proceedings will be ordered in accordance with WBO regulations. The minimum bid for the Jr. Lightweight (130 lbs.) division is set at $150,000.”

Navarrete and Suarez first fought on May 10, 2025, at Pechanga Arena in San Diego. Heading in, most expected Navarrete, who was attempting to defend his WBO 130-pound belt for the fourth time, to win fairly easily. But Suarez (18-0, 10 KOs, 1 NC) fought brilliantly. In the sixth, Navarrete suffered a brutal cut over his left eye in what appeared to be a clash of heads. By the eighth, the wound was deemed too severe and the fight was stopped.

Since it was ruled a head clash by referee Edward Collantes, the judges were asked to hand in their scorecards. Pat Russell scored it 78-75 for Navarrete while Lou Moret and Fernando Villarreal had it 77-76, also in favor of Navarrete.

However, after further review, it was revealed that a punch from Suarez, not a clash of heads, was the reason for Navarrete’s gash. Had the stoppage been ruled as a result of a punch, Suarez would've won by technical knockout. Their contest was later ruled a no-contest by the California State Athletic Commission.

Suarez has remained on the sidelines since then. Navarrete, on the other hand, is coming off a spectacular 11th-round stoppage over Eduardo Nunez to add his IBF 130-pound strap to his collection on February 28, at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale Arizona.