Boholano Boxing Phenom Regie Suganob Headlines 'Kumong Bol-anon 24' Tonight vs South African Veteran — Pacquiao's Son Eman Also Fights
Filipino boxing prospect Regie "The Filipino Phenom" Suganob takes center stage tonight at "Kumong Bol-anon 24" in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, where he'll face veteran South African brawler Siphamandla "Toytoy" Baleni in a 10-round showdown at the Bohol Cultural Center. No title is on the line, but this fight is anything but meaningless for the 28-year-old from Bohol.
Suganob, ranked No. 4 by the WBO, No. 9 by the WBC, and No. 11 by the IBF, is gunning for another world title shot. A convincing win over the battle-tested Baleni would boost his case significantly. "If makakita ta og opportunity nga ma-knockout, ato kuhaon," Suganob said in Bisaya — he'll take the knockout opportunity if he sees it.
Baleni is no pushover. The 35-year-old South African is a former WBO Global and WBA Pan African champion who has twice challenged for world titles. He's lost his last three fights and is hungry to snap the skid — making him dangerous. Suganob's 17-1 record with 6 KOs faces Baleni's 21-8-2 with 8 KOs. Two former WBO Global light flyweight champs going at it — fans are in for a treat.
In a special attraction, Manny Pacquiao's son Eman Bacosa (7-0-1, 4 KOs) puts his unbeaten record on the line against Indonesian Reynold Kundimang in an eight-round lightweight bout. "Tiwala naman po ako na manalo ako," said Bacosa, who also works as a GMA Sparkle artist. The younger Pacquiao clearly has the fighting genes and the confidence to match.
The card is stacked with local PMI Bohol Boxing talent including WBO Asia Pacific minimumweight champ Joseph "The Hunter" Sumabong, IBF Youth flyweight champion Leonard Pores III, and IBF Asia light flyweight titlist Shane Gentallan. Gates open at 3 PM. For Philippine boxing fans, tonight's Bohol fight card is one of the strongest regional shows in months — malaki ang pusta sa gabi na 'to.
Source: PhilStar / The Freeman
