REGIE Suganob came home empty-handed, literally.
Not only did he fail to claim the International Boxing Federation (IBF) light flyweight belt after losing to defending champion Sivenathi Nontshinga last weekend, but he also went home with no money in his pocket after Rumble Africa Boxing Promotions (Rap) failed to pay him his purse.
“Negative. We didn’t receive anything,” Suganob’s promoter, PMI Boxing head Floriezyl Echavez Podot, told SunStar Cebu. “We just went on with the fight because we were there already and Regie was determined to get the belt. He said he would fight even though he hasn’t been paid.”
Rap owes Suganob $28,000, around P1.5 million, for his world title fight with Sivenathi, but up until now he hasn’t received a single cent.
He was guaranteed a purse of $30,000, but the promoter deducted $2,000 from it for the sanctioning fee.
Car instead of money
“He was supposed to get $30,000, but they deducted $2,000 for his share of the sanctioning fee. In our promotions, we won’t deduct money that’s agreed upon in the contract. That’s usually how it is,” said Podot.
According to Podot, the African promoters tried to pay them with a car. They also promised them later on that they were already processing the payment.
“There in the fight. They told us that they didn’t have available funds. And they asked if we were okay if they paid us with a car. We couldn’t take that home,” he said. “The promoter also said they have already processed it in the bank. But up until now they haven’t given us anything, not even a transaction code or an application for bank transfer to prove that they made a transfer.”
Podot has already emailed Rap and sent the IBF a copy about the situation.
“We’ll wait until today (July 6). If they won’t pay, we will ask assistance from the Games and Amusements Board,” said Podot.
Suganob challenged Nontshinga for the IBF light flyweight strap last Sunday, July 2. He lost to Nontshinga by unanimous decision in a fight wherein the South African was just content to run, hug and throw the occasional counter punches. (EKA)