Calls out again Japanese world champion
TAGBILARAN CITY - Boholano world title hopeful Regie “Filipino Phenom” Suganob floored Nanthanon Thongchai five times on the way to a clinical third-round demolition of the Thai visitor in the main event of “Kumong Bol-anon 19” presented by PMI Bohol Boxing Promotions on Saturday evening, December 21, at the Partick Barder Gymnasium of Holy Name University (HNU) here.
Stronger and more powerful in his return from an eight-month hiatus, the 27-year-old Suganob first decked Thongchai with a solid right hook to the head late in the opening session.
Gaining much confidence, Suganob continued his relentless attack to send the Thai crashing into the canvas thrice in the second frame before knocking him down for the fifth time, prompting the third man on the ring to wave off the one-sided contest with 56 seconds left in the third round.
“Unta makaduwa nako og world title sunod tuig,” said Suganob, who immediately called out reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) light flyweight king Shokichi Iwata of Japan moments after raising his record to 16-1 now laced with 6KOs. Thongchai fell to 13-3-2 with 11KOs.
“To the Japanese champion, hinaut nga tagaan ko nimo og opportunity,” added the top-ranked WBO 108-pounder from Dauis, Bohol who is now on the doorstep of a world championship showdown with Iwata.
Suganob is headed to that direction, as per PMI Boxing CEO Atty. Floriezyl Echavez-Podot.
“Ipadayon namo ang amo challenge ni Iwata. Hopefully we can have that shot by February or April next year,” said Podot.
In the supporting main event, the undefeated Reymart “Cebuano Assassin” Tagacanao from Carcar City successfully defended his World Boxing Association (WBA) Asia super flyweight throne with an eighth round stoppage of former world titlist Phai Pharob of Thailand.
Dominant from the get go, Tagacanao landed a crushing right straight to the head that sent Pharob down on one knee. A dazed Pharob refused to continue and the referee counted him out in 1:27 of round eight.
Tagacanao thus padded his immaculate slate to 10-0 now with 8KOs, while Pharob slipped to 38-7 with 29KOs.
In the other duel, WBO Asia Pacific Youth minimumweight crown-holder Christian Balunan beat three-time world title challenger Robert “Ingo” Paradero (19-9-2, 13KOs) via fifth round technical decision to extend his hot streak to 12-0 with 7KOs.
In the shortest bout of the night, PMI Stable’s Jake “El Bambino” Amparo (16-6-1, 4KOs) needed only 17 seconds to send Jayson Francisco down at the seat of his pants for good.
On the other hand, the Pores siblings Leonard III, Sugarey and Althea Shine from Claveria, Misamis Oriental easily dismantled their respective foes to remain unbeaten.
Leonard downed Jessie Bell Goltiano twice with powerful body shots resulting to a spectacular knockout win in 2:30 of the third round, while Sugarey flattened Justine Darap four times en route to a rousing TKO victory in 2:36 of round three.
Leonard improved to 5-0 spiked with 4KOs, while Sugarey stretched his perfect mark to 7-0 with 5KOs.
Their sister Althea Shine Pores also made an impression, putting Thai Pimchanok Thepjanda to sleep in just 33 seconds to remain unscathed in seven fights with one draw and 2KOs.
In the opening match-up, Freshler Utrera scored two knockdowns before forcing Noven King Espina to throw in the towel at the 2:30 mark of round two.