EVERY boxer’s dream is to become a world champion. But only a few can make it to the top.
Two promising undefeated pugs, Regie Suganob and Mark Vicelles, will try to get a little bit closer to that dream and face off in an International Boxing Federation (IBF) light flyweight title eliminator for the mandatory challenger spot in the main event of “Kumong Bolanon IX” on Feb. 25, 2023 at the Calape Cultural Center in Calape, Bohol.
“It’s really my dream to become a world champion, and I’ll do my best to win this fight,” said 25-year-old Suganob, who’s the No. 6 ranked 108-pounder by the IBF. “This will be a very good fight because we are both undefeated. May the best man win.”
Vicelles invades Suganob’s home turf and will try to humiliate him in front of his hometown crowd.
“I’ll do my best to win this fight because this has always been my dream to fight for a world title. This is my biggest fight. If there’s an opportunity to knock him out, then I’ll knock him out,” he said Friday. “I know I trained well. We have the same goal, to fight for a world title. Just wait for tomorrow; it’s going to be a good fight.”
Vicelles is currently rated No. 4 by the IBF.
The winner of the title eliminator earns a world title shot at IBF light flyweight king Sivenathi Nontshinga, who is coming off a successful title defense against Mexican Hector Flores in Mexico.
Suganob tipped the scales at 107.5 pounds, while Vicelles weighed-in right on the dot at 108 pounds.
Suganob is coming off a unanimous decision win over previously unbeaten Indonesian Andika D’Golden Boy on Sept. 9 in Dimiao, Bohol.
In the meantime, the 27-year-old Vicelles destroyed former regional champion Jaysever Abcede in just a single round on June 17, 2022 in Mandaue City.
Sugano is 12-0 with four knockouts, while Vicelles is 17-0-1 with 10 knockouts.
On the other hand, Shane Gentallan fights for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) Oriental Youth minimumweight strap against Indonesian Faisol Akbar in the co-main feature.
The 24-year-old Gentallan had an impressive run in 2022, winning all five of his fights. He’s coming off a third round stoppage of Ronald Ewican in Calape, Bohol.
Akbar was also very active last year with five fights. He went 3-2 and beat Sulis Barrera by unanimous decision in his last outing.
Gentallan is 6-0 with three knockouts, while Akbar is 6-6-1 with two knockouts.
In the undercard, Jake Amparo (11-4-1, 2 KOs) trades leathers with Charlie Malupangue (9-7-4, 6 KOs), Jhunrille Castino (13-1, 4 KOs) takes on Jess Rhey Waminal (14-8-1, 8 KOs), Angilou Dalogdog (5-0, 2 KOs) faces off with Anthony Gilbuela (5-2-2, 1 KO), experienced Lito Dante (19-11-4, 11 KOs) locks horns with Mike Kinaadman (8-18-2, 6 KOs), Jayr Raquinel (13-2-1, 10 KOs) slugs it out with Arnold Garde (10-13-5, 4 KOs), Pablito Balidio (6-3-3, 1 KO) clashes with Royder Lloyd Borbon (6-13-3, 6 KOs), Gerwin Asilo (3-0, 1 KO) is fighting fellow undefeated prospect Jeffrey Aguilar (2-0, 2 KOs), Reycar Auxilio (3-2, 2 KOs) locks horns with Jayar Aliasot (6-5, 5 KOs) and Reymart Tagacanao (3-0, 3 KOs) opens up the show against Isagani Saludar (3-2, 2 KOs)