TAGBILARAN, Bohol — PMI Bohol Boxing Promotions is confident that it could bring an IBF World Light Flyweight Championship battle to Bohol next year.
That's so because of Regie "The Filipino Phenom" Suganob's emphatic revenge win over former 2-time world champion Sivenathi Nontshinga.
Lawyer and boxing promoter Atty. Floriezyl Echavez-Podot, CEO of PMI Bohol Boxing Promotions, said the successful staging of their world title eliminator proves that Bohol is ready for the sport's biggest stage!
"We're very happy and proud that we are able to show to the IBF that we are capable of holding big events," Atty. Podot said.
Podot's statement came after Suganob delivered one of the most impressive victories of his career in the main event of "Kumong Bol-anon XXVI - Unfinished Business" on Saturday, September 12, at the packed Bohol Wisdom School Gym in beautiful Tagbilaran.
The 29-year-old Boholano survived a scare in the 3rd round when Nontshinga caught him with a counter right straight that sent him to the canvas.
Regie admitted his over-aggressiveness cost him.
"It was my mistake. I was too aggressive," The Phenom said.
He recovered quickly behind veteran Las Vegas referee Tony Weeks' count, regained composure on the advice of his corner, and systematically broke down the dangerous South African world-class fighter.
But then, the exciting end came at 2:54 of the 5th round.
Suganob trapped Nontshinga along the ropes and unloaded a series of right hooks and a one-two combination to the head that left the former champ motionless on the canvas, prompting Weeks to wave off the bout.
The victory was a super sweet revenge for Suganob, who suffered his 1st and only career defeat against Nontshinga via unanimous decision in their first meeting 3 years ago in South Africa, when Nontshinga was the reigning IBF king.
With the win, The 29-year-old from lovely Dauis, Bohol, improved to 19-1 with 8 KOs and secured his status as the mandatory challenger for the IBF light flyweight (108 pounds) crown.
The belt is currently held by tough Thanongsak Simsri of Thailand (40-1, 35KOs), who is scheduled to defend against fellow Pinoy Mark Vicelles on September 26 in Japan.
Regie will face the winner!
"Good luck ninyong duha. Kinsa ang modaog ninyo andam ko mo-challenge," Suganob said.
For PMI Bohol, which has built the "Kumong Bol-anon" series into one of the country's most consistent grassroots boxing platforms, bringing a legitimate world championship to the sunbathed paradise island would be a historic 1st and a realization of its long-term goal to turn Bohol into the Philippines' next boxing mecca.
Best of luck to Regie, to PMI, to Atty. Floriezyl, and to Bohol boxing, Laban Pinoy!! 🇵🇭👍🥊
Comments
Share your thoughts on the above article by NewsHub @ PhilBoxing.