‘Filipino Phenom’ Suganob battles Venezuelan fighter

‘Filipino Phenom’ Suganob battles Venezuelan fighter

By CALVIN CORDOVA

Four months after losing a world title fight, Regie “The Filipino Phenom” Suganob will be tested once again as he will take on hard-hitting Venezuelan fighter Ronald Chacon in the main event of “Kumong Bol-anon XII on Saturday, Nov. 4, at the Bohol Wisdom Gymnasium in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

Suganob is determined to redeem himself after faltering in a world title fight against Sivenathi Nontshinga via unanimous decision in South Africa last July 2.

The loss denied Suganob of winning the International Boxing Federation (IBF) light flyweight belt.

With that loss, Suganob has to overcome an experienced Chacon to earn another shot at a world title in the future.

“I am not going to make any prediction but I expect a great fight. I know my opponent is experienced and has a high knockout percentage. But I’m determined to win after I lost in my last fight,” said Suganob during the weigh-in on Friday, Nov. 3, at Island City Mall in Tagbilaran.

The two protagonists both tipped the scales at 107.8 pounds.

The 26-year-old Suganob, who holds a 13W-1L, 4KOs record, knows the importance of the fight against Suganob. He too knows he is up against a dangerous fighter, but the Dauis,Bohol-native boxer is undeterred.

“I don’t feel any pressure at all. In fact, I’m excited because I want to face high-caliber opponents that are ranked because that’s how your skills will be tested as a boxer,” said Suganob.

PMI Bohol Boxing Promotions Floriezyl Echavez Podot is also aware of the consequences if Suganob falters for the second straight fight.

Podot admitted that Suganob could have taken a favorable fight after losing in South Africa but they opted to face an opponent that would hasten the fighter’s path to bigger fights.

“This is a risky fight for Regie. If you give him an easier fight after that loss in South Africa, there is still some risk involved so we might as well go for this kind of a fight which we know is risky but with a bigger impact,” said Podot.

Podot admitted that a loss will be a big blow for his ward as it will bring his career back to square one.

A victory, however, will be huge as it might allow Suganob to break into the top 10 in the World Boxing Organization (WBO) rankings.

“This is an important fight for Regie. He’s the banner boxer of PMI. This fight will be his road to another world title fight. He needs maybe two to three more fights before he can fight for a world title. We learned from his fight in South Africa that he needed a lot to improve on,” said Podot.

Suganob is currently ranked No. 7 by the IBF and No. 14 by the World Boxing Council.

Chacon is rated No. 10 by the World Boxing Association. He has 30 wins, 22 by way of knockouts, two losses, and one draw.

The 32-year-old Chacon expressed readiness for only his second fight outside Venezuela.

“I am ready emotionally and physically. If I win or if I lose, I will leave it up to God. It is an honor to fight Suganob,” said Chacon through an interpreter.

At stake in the Suganob-Chacon fight is the vacant WBO Global junior flyweight title.

Leon Panoncillo, President of WBO for Asia-Pacific, said winning a Global belt is crucial for a boxer’s world title aspirations.

“It is recognized around the world. Promoters are recognizing this global title. Winning a global title is the next step for a world title. It is not just the title you put in a showcase. It gives you opportunities to fight top-tier fighters,” Panoncillo said.

In the co-main feature, undefeated Cebuano prospect Christian Balunan (8-0, 4 KOs) takes 17-year-old Thai Adetip Maungcharoen (5-0, 3 KOs) for the vacant WBO Asia-Pacific minimumweight strap in the co-main feature.