CEBU CITY – Regie “The Filipino Phenom” Suganob put up a performance that erased doubts on his capability to contend for a world title again.
The 27-year-old Boholano boxing sensation displayed sheer brute force and blinding speed to pummel Thai fighter Nanthanon Thongchai in the main event of Kumong Bol-Anon 19 on Saturday night, Dec. 21, at the Holy Name University Barder Gymnasium in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.
Suganob dispatched Thongchai via a third-round technical knockout. It may have been a non-title fight but Suganob, a prized stalwart of PMI Boxing Stable, delivered a strong message that he is primed up for another shot at a world title.
From pin-point jabs, solid uppercuts, and dizzying hooks, Suganob connected from all angles and totally outclassed the visiting fighter.
Suganob scored one knockdown in the opening round, three in the second round, and two in the third round.
The Thai fighter gamely took the early blows but Suganob could not be denied when he delivered one solid blow after another in the third.
Suganob wobbled Thongchai with solid combinations to start the third round. Seeing his groggy opponent, Suganob delivered a perfectly-timed right straight that sent Thongchai to the canvas.
The referee stepped in and waived off the fight, saving the Thai fighter from further punishment.
After the win, Suganob called out Shokichi Iwata, the Japanese boxer who currently holds the WBO light-flyweight belt.
“Let’s make it happen. Defend your world title. I’m ready to face you,” said Suganob, who improved to 16 wins and one loss with six knockouts. Thongchai dropped to 13 wins, three losses, and two draws, with 11 knockouts.
Suganob faltered in his first attempt to win a world title when he lost to hometown bet Sivenathi Nontshinga for the IBF world light-flyweight title in 2023 in South Africa.
“I’ve learned from my past experiences, trained hard, and fought tough opponents. I’m more than ready if given a chance to fight for a world title again,” Suganob said.
PMI Boxing Promotions chief lawyer-sportsman Floriezyl Podot noted that while Suganob has what it takes to fight for a world title again, the hard-hitting boxer still has some fine-tuning to do.
“It was a great performance by Regie but he has to work on those long shots. There were some punches that didn’t connect and he has to finetune that but the stamina, the power are already there,” said Podot.
In the co-main event, Cebuano boxer Reymart Tagacanao defended his WBA Asia super-flyweight title by scoring an eighth-round knockout win over veteran Thailander Phai Pharob.
Tagacanao remained undefeated after 10 fights and now has eight knockout victories. Pharob went home with his seventh loss in 45 fights.