By CALVIN CORDOVA
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol — Japanese boxers have been having their way against Filipino counterparts as of late.
More than a week ago, Jerwin Ancajas fell to Takuma Inoue in a world title fight in Tokyo, Japan. It was in the same card that Jonas Sultan bowed to Japanese prospect Riku Masuda.
A Boholano boxer will try to change the narrative when he takes on a dangerous Japanese fighter for the 15th installment of “Kumong Bol-anon” boxing series.
In a virtual press conference on Friday, March 8, PMI Boxing Promotions chief Atty. Floriezyl Podot announced that PMI Boxing Stable’s prized stalwart Regie Suganob will take on Kai Ishizawa on April 30 at a still-to-be-determined venue here.
At stake in the fight is Suganob’s World Boxing Organization (WBO) Global light flyweight title.
The daunting task of convincing a Japanese fighter to fight in the Philippines was made possible through the efforts of veteran matchmaker Edito “ALA” Villamor.
“It’s a different perspective because usually, it is the Filipino boxers who go to Japan to fight. It’s time for Filipinos to fight in their own soil against these Japanese boxers. We would also like to test Regie against Japanese boxers,” said Podot.
Aside from pitting two former world title challengers, what makes the Suganob-Ishizawa duel more interesting is the Filipinos’ eagerness to end the Japanese’ dominance against Filipino boxers, said Podot.
“Somehow, Filipinos have an ax to grind against Japanese boxers because a number of Filipino fighters have been losing against them lately,” said Podot.
Suganob, who has 14 wins, one loss and four knockout wins, will be defending his current belt for the first time. He won the belt against Venezuelan Ronald Chacon in November last year in Tagbilaran.
The 26-year-old Suganob is fighting a Japanese for the first time in his fledgling career. He is rated No. 3 in the WBO, No. 6 in the IBF, and No. 9 in the WBC.
“It is going to be an important fight since I’m fighting a Japanese opponent that many Filipino boxing fans want to see get defeated. I’m fighting in my hometown with my title on the line so it’s a very important fight,” Suganob said.
For Ishizawa, going up against a Filipino boxer is not new to him. He has already fought two Filipino boxers, the last was Vince Paras where he lost by split decision in Tokyo last October.
Ishizawa, 27, sports an 11W-3L, 10KOs record.
“I’m very excited for this fight. I prepared for this fight and I must win this fight in the Philippines. I know Filipino boxers are very powerful, especially Suganob who has the speed and power,” said Ishizawa through a translator.
Ishizawa vowed to upset Suganob before his fellow Boholanos.
“Since it’s happening in his hometown, I want to win by knockout,” said Ishizawa.
