South African boxer arrives for Kumong Bol-anon tiff

Sports

SEASONED African boxer Siphamandla “Toytoy” Baleni has arrived in Bohol for his highly anticipated duel with Regie “The FIlipino Phenom” Suganob, one of the country’s fast-rising fighters.

As he set foot at the Panglao International Airport on Tuesday, Feb. 24, Baleni made one thing clear: he didn’t travel more than 6,000 miles just to let an opportunity to score a big win slip away.

In a social media post by PMI Bohol Boxing Stable, Baleni assured that boxing fans will be treated to an epic duel when he and Suganob clash in the main event of Kumong Bol-anon 24 on Feb. 28 at the Bohol Cultural Center in Tagbilaran City.

“He also confidently stated that this will be a great fight between him and Regie, encouraging everyone to watch the big night. According to Baleni, his experience as a two-time world title challenger and eliminator veteran makes this matchup even more exciting,” the post read.

Baleni was accompanied by his coach Jack, who happened to be present when Suganob lost in his first world title fight against another South African boxer Sivenathi Nontshinga in July 2023.

It was initially announced that Suganob will take on Venezuelan Rodrigo Ramirez for the first offering in 2026 of the highly successful boxing series put up by PMI Bohol Boxing Promotions.

Some changes were made and a Suganob-Baleni fight was sealed.

He may be a replacement but for some pundits, Baleni isn’t going to be an easy prey.

The 35-year-old Baleni is a former two-division champion and a two-time world title challenger. His stellar pro boxing career saw him wrest the WBA Pan African champion, IBO Inter-Continental, and WBO Global Africa minimumweight titles.

Owner of 21 wins, eight by knockout, Baleni will step into the ring hungry for a win after losing his last three fights. He has eight losses, and two draws.

The fight is equally important for Suganob, who is raring to earn another shot at the world title.

The pride of Bohol has 17 wins with just one loss. The reigning WBO Global light flyweight champion is on a four-fight winning streak.(CCM)