By Monwabisi Jimlongo
PMI Bohol Boxing Promotions boss Floriezyl Podot from the Philippines has made a brave prediction saying that his boxer Regie Suganob is going to stop International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior-flyweight champion Sivenathi ‘Special One’ Nontshinga when they meet next month.
Nontshinga from East London is scheduled to make the first defence of his IBF crown when he fights against the Filipino boxer on Friday, 16 June. The 24-year-old Nontshinga won the title by a split decision when he fought against Mexican Hector Flores in Hermosillo, Mexico, last September.
“We are doing little adjustments on flaws we saw in Nontshinga’s style. We are perfecting the game plan, especially the combination to knockout Nontshinga. At least five days before the fight we will be in Africa, so we can acclimatise to the weather in South Africa,” Podot said.
“If the champion would like to have an exciting fight, then he must not keep on running. He must engage Regie Suganob. We are already prepared to wear down Nontshinga from running and knock him out.”
Following his victory over his Filipino compatriot Mark Mendoza Vicelles in an eliminator in February this year, Suganob didn’t have enough rest as he began his preparations for the Nontshinga fight.
“After the Vicelles bout, Regie Suganob took two weeks rest and then went back to training. Suganob knows about Nontshinga from the Filipinos he has fought before and the tapes that are available,” Podot remarked.
Nontshinga has done very well against Pinoy boxers as he has defeated Ivan Soriano and Christian Araneta. He stopped Soriano in an IBF International junior-flyweight title fight in March 2020 and then scored a unanimous points victory over Araneta in an elimination bout in April the following year.
Meanwhile, Filipino boxing followers are always apprehensive when Pinoy boxers travel to fight in South Africa, but Podot has no problem with Suganob coming to the Eastern Cape.
“Maybe on the little discomfort from the long flight, but aside from that, Nontshinga has no advantage. They will be sharing the same boxing ring,” Podot concluded.
