Benguet-based boxer Carlo Magali, the reigning Philippine Games and Amusement Board super featherweight champion, will challenge World Boxing Association Asia Charly Suarez at the Elorde Sports Complex in Parañque City on Oct. 23.
The 32-year-old Magali will again enter the ring after a two-year hiatus from boxing since capturing the Asian Boxing Federation and PGAB super featherweight belts against Al Toyogon in December 2019.
At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Magali along with fellow boxers under Highland Boxing of Igorot international boxing promoter Brico Santig, opted to stay in La Trinidad and had to look for ways to support their families, as sports promotions were prohibited.
Magali, whose boxing career has been revived by Highland Boxing, said he respects his opponent, who remains undefeated in his 12 professional bouts.
The 34-year-old Suarez of San Isidro, Davao del Norte, who represented the Philippines in the 2016 Rio Olympics, turned professional boxer in 2019, the year he captured the Philippines Mindanao Professional Boxing Federation lightweight belt.
A year later, he captured the Philippines Luzon ProBA super featherweight belt which he successfully defended against Filipino challengers.
Santig, who is actively promoting boxing events in the Middle East and other parts of Asia, travelled back to La Trinidad last week to check the training of Magali.
Magali captured the vacant Asian Boxing Federation super featherweight belt and the vacant Philippine super featherweight belt at the Manila Arena in 2019.
He clinched the belts via split decision victory against Al Toyogon in the main event of “Knockout” promoted by Santig and Darwin Miller Dep-ay of Highland Boxing and DMAD Promotions.
In June 2018, Magali failed to defend his Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation super featherweight belt to an undefeated Japanese boxer Hionori Mishiro via split decision in their 12-round championship bout in Japan. – Harley F. Palangchao
