Venezuelan out, African in as Suganob faces new foe in ‘Kumong Bol-anon 24’

Sports

REGIE Suganob’s first fight of the year has just become tougher after his original Venezuelan opponent was replaced by a seasoned South African boxer.

The PMI Bohol Boxing Promotions announced that Siphamandla “Toytoy” Baleni has been tapped to challenge Suganob in the main event of “Kumong Bol-Anon 24” on Feb. 28 at the Bohol Cultural Center in Tagbilaran City.

Suganob was supposed to face Rodrigo Ramirez, a world-rated Venezuelan fighter.

A few weeks before the much-awaited fight, a switch was made, giving Suganob an even tougher opponent.

Baleni is a former two-division champion and a two-time world title challenger. His stellar pro boxing career saw him wrest the WBA Pan African champion, IBO Inter-Continental, and WBO Global Africa minimumweight titles.

What makes Baleni more dangerous is that he is hungry for a win after losing his last three fights. The 35-year-old fighter has 21 wins, eight by knockout, eight losses, and two draws.

Suganob is expected to go all-out against his highly touted opponent as he looks to earn another shot at a world title. The Boholano boxer, who has 17 wins with just one loss, is the reigning WBO Global light flyweight champion.

While Baleni will try to end his slump, Suganob, currently ranked No. 3 by the WBO, No. 6 by the WBC, and No. 5 by the IBF in the light flyweight division, will be looking to keep his string of wins going after winning his last four fights.(CCM)