CSAC changes two boxing results to no-contests after replay reviews; WBO orders rematch in Navarette–Suarez case

The California State Athletic Commission voted unanimously at its June meeting to change two professional fight results to no-contests after petition hearings and video review.

Commissioners reviewed a petition about the May 10 bout between Emmanuel Navarette and Charlie Suarez in San Diego and a second petition about the Feb. 19 bout between Cesar Francis and Emiliano Moreno in Jamestown, hearing video footage and testimony before voting to change both outcomes to no contests.

The commission opened the Navarette–Suarez item with staff showing multiple video angles. Executive Officer Andy Foster and the commission’s chief inspector presented slowed footage and described their view that the cut to Navarette’s eyebrow appeared to have been caused by a legal punch rather than an accidental headbutt. Ricardo Naveta, manager for Charlie Suarez’s team, told commissioners he and his team “undisputedly determined that the evidence clearly shows the injury was caused by a punch,” and cited California regulations in urging the commission to rule the bout a TKO instead of changing the result to a no-contest.

Commission discussion acknowledged competing equities. Commissioner Wedge (noting rule language on how a legally landed punch that forces a stoppage ordinarily results in a TKO) said changing a loss to a win is a substantial step but that the video angles and subsequent evidence supported the commission’s motion to change the decision to a no-contest. Foster told the room that the WBO had ordered an automatic rematch, but that scheduling or timing for the rematch was a matter for the WBO and the fight promoter, not the commission.

After public comment from Suarez’s team and others, the commission voted to change the Navarette–Suarez result to a no-contest; the roll call recorded an affirmative vote and the panel instructed staff to update the record and the official bout result immediately.

Later in the meeting commissioners considered a petition concerning the Feb. 19 Cesar Francis–Emiliano Moreno bout. Staff presented the video and argued the stoppage was a judgment-call stoppage that merited review; the petitioner argued that the referee’s stoppage had been premature. Commissioners discussed the scope of the petition (initially filed claiming collusion but subsequently clarified as a misapplication of the rules) and heard that the boxer who was stopped had been ahead on the scorecards at the time. Following a brief discussion and no public opposition, the commission voted to change that result to a no-contest as well.

Votes at a glance - Emmanuel Navarette vs. Charlie Suarez (May 10, 2025, San Diego): Motion to change result to no-contest — passed (affirmative unanimous roll call; tally recorded as 5-0). The World Boxing Organization (WBO) has ordered an automatic rematch; the commission noted rematch scheduling is controlled by the sanctioning body and promoters. - Cesar Francis vs. Emiliano Moreno (Feb. 19, 2025, Jamestown): Motion to change result to no-contest — passed (affirmative unanimous roll call; tally recorded as 5-0). Commissioners said the petition had claimed collusion but was clarified during the hearing as a misapplication of rules.

Why this matters The commission’s decisions alter the official records for the fighters and may affect rankings, purses and rematch obligations. Commissioners emphasized safety and fairness as the governing principles of their review process and said the actions were limited to the narrow evidentiary questions presented in the petitions.

What the commission said next Foster and commissioners emphasized that the commission is reviewing referee and official performance as part of its quality-control efforts and that these review powers will continue to be applied case by case. Commissioners also noted the commission’s commitment to transparency and to improving instant-replay and review procedures going forward.

Ending The commission instructed staff to update bout records and to document the evidence supporting each decision in the commission file. Commissioners also asked staff to monitor rematch scheduling by sanctioning bodies and promoters and to report any related requests to the commission.