Remember the name Regie Suganob.
The “Filipino Phenom” registered perhaps his most impressive win yet, knocking out Sivenathi Nontshinga (14-3, 11 KOs) in Round 5 of their match on Saturday at the Bohol Wisdom School in Tagbilaran City, Bohol. The win gives him a measure of revenge, as the South African beat him via unanimous decision back in 2023 for the IBF light flyweight crown. The victory also improves the Filipino’s ledger to 19-1, 8 KOs and should move him up the rankings—No. 2 in WBO, No. 3 in IBF and WBC, and No. 6 in Ring Magazine prior to his latest win.
Suganob Brushes Off Knockdown
The win, while impressive, didn’t come without adversity. After an uneventful first round, Suganob began going after Nontshinga starting in Round 2. But he looked over-eager at times, perhaps in a bold bid to impress the partisan Filipino crowd at the Bohol Wisdom School. That eagerness showed in some careless—even reckless—advances that the South African countered beautifully.
Nontshinga’s counterpunching nearly turned the tide to his favor in Round 3, as a well-timed counter sent Suganob to the canvas. But rather than be deterred, the Filipino seemed to find new energy, as he got up and continued to stalk the South African with relentless pressure. That aggressiveness ultimately paid off in the fifth, when Suganob battered Nontshinga with a trio of right hooks that sent the visitor to the canvas for good.
Nontshinga received medical attention after the fight and was given oxygen.
What This Means for the Filipino Phenom
Suganob’s impressive finish of Nontshinga has world championship implications. The win elevates the Filipino Phenom as the mandatory challenger to IBF beltholder Thanongsak Simsri, who will be defending his belt in two weeks’ time against another Filipino, Mark Vicelles. Vicelles, incidentally, lost to Suganob in 2023 via unanimous technical decision, paving the way for the latter to face the South African for the same crown.
Broadly, Suganob’s win capped off a hugely successful “Kumong Bol-Anon 26” card that was held in front of international boxing officials, led by IBF president Daryl Peoples himself.
