REIGNING MinPro and LuzonPro lightweight division champion Charly Suarez of Barangay Sawata, Davao del Norte continues to train whether his World Boxing Council (WBC) Asia Super Featherweight Title fight against defending champion Defry Palulu of Indonesia pushes through on May 9 in Manila amid the state of public health emergency in the country due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Asian Games 2014 silver medalist Suarez, also a three-time Southeast Asian (SEA) Games gold medalist, said he was preparing for his upcoming fight even before the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus disease.

“With how things are limited at this time it has not been a reason not to keep myself in good shape. I am working closely with my team and coach so that we could still follow our fight plan, staying active in doing cardio and weight training to further enhance my physical and mental condition at this time,” the 31-year-old knockout artist told SunStar Davao in a Facebook interview.

Suarez said he sticks with having a balanced diet but admitted that he faces the challenge to gather resources because of the community quarantine. “I still do what I can to get proper nutrition even if it is a bit more complicated now,” he said, adding that coach Delfin Boholst is with him for his home training in Manila.

The clash against the Indonesian fighter, who has arecord of 22 wins and two losses, will be his fifth professional fight.

He currently holds an unbeaten record of four wins with four knockouts, zero draw and zero loss. His victims include Dave Barlas whom he defeated to capture the vacant Philippines Luzon Professional Boxing Association (LuzProBa) title on February 7, 2020.

Suarez also eked out KO and technical KO victories over Virgil Puton on August 24, 2019, Justin Cabarles on March 5, 2019 and Ernesto Cagampang on January 1, 2016.