Suganob vows to give his best not to let hometown fans down

Bohol’s pride

CEBU, Philippines — Regie “Filipino Phenom” Suganob suffered a heart-breaking defeat at the hands of Sivenathi “The One” Nontshinga of South Africa during their first encounter three years ago.

Seeing action behind enemy lines back then, Suganob was going after Nontshinga’s International Boxing Federation (IBF) light flyweight crown but faltered by unanimous decision.

Now, Suganob (18-1, 7KOs) gets a golden chance to avenge that loss as he takes on Nontshinga (14-2, 11KOs) anew in an IBF light flyweight title eliminator top billing the “Kumong Bol-Anon XXVI” on September 12 at the Bohol Wisdom School (BWS) Gymnasium in Tagbilaran City.

The winner of their highly anticipated rematch will earn a mandatory shot at reigning IBF light flyweight champion Thanongsak Simsri (40-1, 35KOs) of Thailand.

Beyond revenge and another crack at a world crown, there’s a far more important thing on Suganob’s mind.

Fighting on home soil this time around, Suganob can’t let down his hometown supporters in his return bout with Nontshinga.

“Grabi ang akoa motivation kay anhi ang dula sa Bohol,” said the 28-year-old Suganob, who is currently the top light flyweight contender in both the IBF and World Boxing Organization (WBO).

“Daghan kaayo ang nagsuporta sa akoa mao nga ako gyud ihatag ang tanan sa dula kay garbo ug kalipay ni sa mga Bol-anon ug ilabi na sad sa tibuok Pilipinas,” he added.

With this mindset, Suganob is hell-bent on unleashing that Boholano fighting spirit to the max and do whatever it takes to get back at his former tormentor.

“Chance na sad nako ni na makadula og world title maong ihatag gyud nako ang tanan. Ako ikapasalig sa mga katawhan ug sa akoa kaugalingon na modaog gyud ko aning dulaa,” Suganob said. — (FREEMAN)