A nondescript Filipino fighter will attempt to become a world champion next week in East London, South Africa.
Regie Sunganob battles Sivenathi Nontshinga on 16 July for the International Boxing Federation light-flyweight crown.
In a battle of unbeaten punchers, Sunganob earned his shot at the IBF 108-lb title after scoring an eighth-round stoppage of Mark Vicelles in a title eliminator last February.
Sunganob, who hails from Dauis, Bohol, holds a 13-0 win-loss card with four knockouts.
Nontshinga, making the first defense of the championship, parades an 11-0 slate with nine knockouts.
One of his big wins came against Filipino Christian Araneta, whom he outpointed in April 2021.
Nonsthinga beat Hector Flores in Hermosillo, Mexico, last year for the vacant IBF throne, his first fight outside his native South Africa.
Speaking in relation to his showdown with Sunganob, the African pride swears his confidence level is high.
“I am expecting a good clean fight,” Nontshinga told ProBox TV News.
“Difference now is, is that I am the champion. He’s (Sunganob) is the mandatory challenger, undefeated and will want to take the belt home to his people — just like I did. I know what to expect.”
If victorious next week, Sunganob will join two-belt super-bantamweight titlist Marlon Tapales as the country’s only reigning world champs following the recent defeat of Melvin Jerusalem in California.
