Boholano Suganob dares Japanese champ: “Defend your belt, let’s go!”

Sports

A HARD-HITTING Boholano boxer has been yearning for another shot at a world title. For Regie Suganob, it’s an itch that demands a scratch.

And so after pulling off a marvelous display of ring generalship over the weekend, Suganob now wants a piece of a Japanese champion as he issued a bold challenge to the current World Boxing Organization (WBO) light flyweight champion.

“Sa champion karon sa WBO light flyweight nga si Shokichi Iwata, i-depensa imong bakus. Ako’y number one contender karon. Hinaot na tagaan ko nimo opportunity na magduwa tang duha. Let’s go!” Suganob said.

Suganob’s dare came shortly after his clinical dismantling of Thailander Nanthanon Thongchai in the main event of “Kumong Bol-anon 19” on Saturday night, December 21, at the Holy Name University Barder Gymnasium in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

Suganob floored Thongchai five times en route to scoring a sensational third-round technical knockout win that raised his record to 16W-1L, 6KOs.

Suganob came out with guns ablaze against Thongchai, flooring the Thai fighter once in the first round, thrice in the second, and once in the third.

Suganob believes that he has what it takes to contend for a world title anew after failing in his first attempt.

“I have learned from my past experiences. I have been training hard and I am more than ready to fight for a world title again,” he said.

Lawyer Floriezyl Podot, the top honcho of PMI Boxing Promotions, was impressed with Suganob’s performance against Thongchai.

In terms of power and stamina, Podot liked what he saw with his prized ward. He, however, admitted that there are still some areas that Suganob has to work on.

“He has some long shots that did not connect. He has to work on that and be more accurate,” said Podot.

Suganob’s first crack at a world title came in 2023 but he lost to hometown bet Sivenathi Nontshinga for the IBF world light flyweight in South Africa.

With the sensational win on Saturday night, Suganob couldn’t have asked for a better way to end the year, and one could expect for the highly skilled boxer to figure prominently next year.(CCM)