By CALVIN CORDOVA
TAGBILARAN CITY ‒ Two promising boxers put their unbeaten slates on the line when they clash in the main event of the “Kumong Bolanon IX” on Saturday night, Feb. 25, at the Calape Cultural Center in Calape, Bohol.
A shot at the world title is also at stake as PMI Boxing Stable’s Regie Suganob and Mark Vicelles of the Cebu City-based Omega Boxing Gym will be facing off in an International Boxing Federation (IBF) light flyweight title eliminator.
The winner in the match will earn the right to face the division’s current world champion Sivenathi Nontsinga of South Africa.
Nontshinga is coming off a successful title defense against Mexican Hector Flores in Mexico.
Suganob is unbeaten in 12 fights with four knockout victories, while Vicelles has 16 wins, including 10 knockouts against a draw.
“This is going to be a good fight because we are both undefeated. It’s really my dream to become a world champion and I’ll do my best to win this fight,” said the 25-year-old Suganob, who’s the No. 6 ranked 108-pounder by the IBF.
Fighting in enemy’s territory, Vicelles expressed confidence of pulling off a big win as he vowed to stop Suganob in front of the hometown crowd.
Vicelles’ coach Julius Junco even predicted an eighth-round win for his ward.
“I’ll do my best to win this fight because this has always been my dream to fight for a world title. This is my biggest fight. If there’s an opportunity to knock him out, then I’ll knock him out,” said Vicelles, who is currently rated No. 4 by the IBF.
During the weigh-in on Friday, Feb. 24, at the PMI Main Campus in Tagbilaran City, Suganob tipped the scales at 107.5 pounds, while Vicelles was on the dot at 108 pounds.
In the co-main event, PMI’s Shane Gentallan will be targeting the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) Oriental Youth minimumweight title against Indonesian Faisol Akbar in the co-main feature.
Gentallan is undefeated in six fights with three knockouts, while Akbar sports a 6W-6L-1D with two knockout wins.
A total of nine undercards will spice up in the card spearheaded by PMI Bohol Boxing Promotions top honcho Floriezyl Echavez Pudot.
