CEBU CITY- A rising FIlipino boxer tries to hold his ground against a determined Japanese foe as Regie Suganob battles Kai Ishizawa in the main event of the 15th installment of “Kumong Bol-anon” boxing series on Tuesday, April 30, at the Holy Name University Barder Gym in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.
At stake in the fight is Suganob’s World Boxing Organization (WBO) Global light flyweight title, but for PMI Boxing Promotions chief Atty. Floriezyl Podot, the duel is not just about the regional title belt.
Podot said the two protagonists are expected to go all out to fight for pride and bragging rights.
“This is the most anticipated installment of Kumong Bol-anon. The rivalry between the Filipino boxers and Japanese boxers has never been this intense,” said Podot after the card’s official weigh-in on Monday at the Tagbilaran City Hall where Suganob and Ishizawa both tipped the scales at 107.2 pounds.
Japanese boxers have been winning over Filipino fighters lately. Marlon Tapales, Jerwin Ancajas, and Jonas Sultan are among the notable Filipino boxers who lost to their Japanese opponents recently.
He may be fighting behind enemy lines, Ishizawa is confident that he can sustain Japan’s dominance over the Philippines in the squared ring.
Japanese boxers rarely fight outside their country but the 27-year-old Ishizawa didn’t think twice accepting the offer to fight Suganob even in front of the former world title challenger’s fellow Boholanos.
“I am confident that I can knock out Suganob. I know I have a good chance of winning, that’s why I agreed to come and fight him,” Ishizawa said through an interpreter.
Isizhawa holds a 11W-3L, 10KOs record. He has fought two Filipino fighters in the past and won one of them.
For the 26-year-old Suganob, Ishizawa will serve as a big test in his bid to earn another world title shot.
“I wouldn’t say if I can knock him out or not. All I can say is, I trained hard for four months for this fight. I won’t guarantee anything, I will do my best on top of the ring,” said Suganob (14W-1L, 4KOs).
Suganob faltered in his first world title fight, absorbing a unanimous decision loss to South African Sivenathi Nontshinga on July last in South Africa. He bounced back from that loss by scoring a UD win over Venezuela’s Ronald Chacon on Nov. 4 last year in Tagbilaran, Bohol. The victory over Chacon earned Suganob his current belt
For the first time in the history of the boxing series, the card will be aired live on national television. Government-owned PTV Network will air the fights live starting at 3 p.m.
Leon Panoncillo, vice president of WBO Asia-Pacific, commended the PMI Boxing Promotions for putting up a card that features a Japanese boxer.
“Most of the fights of elite Japanese boxers are done in Japan because they cultivate the sport there. Most of the time, Japanese boxers fight in their country. It’s a big accomplishment for PMI to put up this card. I hope there will be more fights like this. It’s an opportunity to feature elite boxers from these two competitive countries and we are proud to be a part of it,” said Panoncillo.
The Suganob-Ishizawa duel will be spiced by five other fights with Shane Gentallan of Maribojoc, Bohol going up against Indonesia’s Wandi Priman Hulu. (Calvin D. Cordova)
