A Shocker in the Philippines as Suganob Topples Vicelles

Published

2 years ago

February 25, 2023

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Regie Suganob (now 13-0) has shocked observers local and distant today in Calape, Philippines, winning a deserved decision over the favoured, world-ranked Mark Vicelles (drops to 17-1-1), both Filipinos, both barely under the 108lbs weight-limit. The doctor called a halt to proceedings during the eighth round, the referee instructing judges to score the round as though completed, and all three judges scored for Suganob, 80-71, 78-73 and 77-74 (this last card was identical to my own). A fight that had been nothing less than excellent was perhaps heating into something even more at the time of the stoppage.

Around dinner time for locals, breakfast for America and at lunchtime here in Scotland, bell for the first round sounded for what was far and away the biggest fight of Suganob’s career. Twenty-five years old and out of Dauis, Bohol, Suganob (pictured on the left) caused minor ripples with recent wins over countrymen Jerome Baloro and Andika Boy, both over ten rounds. Most impressive was his shut out of Andika last September, a fighter who had never been beaten but was dropped in the fourth round by Suganob. Short of knockout victories, Suganob seemed to be developing the type of stinging punch that can cause shock in the lower weight classes due to the sudden way it landed. Fighters do not get faster than they are at light-flyweight.

Having turned professional a year before the outbreak of COVID-19, Suganob made up for those lost months by getting out four times in 2021 and three times in 2022 but that shortage of knockouts and a seemingly old-fashioned straight-lined style kept him from impressing that much. He seemed reasonably complete from a technical perspective but short of the extra dimension that might take him into the world’s top ten at light-flyweight. The world’s top-ten is what he assailed today in the form of Mark Vicelles.

Vicelles, in many ways, is all that Suganob is not. A puncher with ten knockout victories under his belt he scraped his way onto the TBRB top ten last year with back-to-back first round knockouts, albeit of limited opposition. His progress could be charted in his improving results which were matched by a developing charism as “Rasta Mac” embraced a look, ring-entrance and personal style that can certainly be regarded as niche in the thriving boxing scene in The Philippines. The IBF took note; despite showing preference for the WBA route, Vicelles was the anointed favourite for an IBF eliminator, no small matter as that belt is held by Sivenathi Nontshinga, not the division’s biggest money fight, but a money-fight nonetheless. Those are rare below featherweight.

Suganob himself got onto the IBF on-ramp back in 2021, picking up a youth title against the unbeaten Jerome Baloro – who he also dropped on his way to taking a decision.Today’s result was a shock, but there were warning signs.

Suganob delivered another warning sign in the first round of the contest, in the form of a sharp check-hook delivered ring-centre. Vicelles, who seemed confident and loose, won that first round on my card but Suganob looked ready to counter the Vicelles southpaw jab from very early in the fight. What was to be his main weapon, the straight right hand, he held back for the most part. My notes for this first state 10-9 for Vicelles but I add that Suganob was “organised and watchful.” What he was watching for would soon become apparent.

In the second, Suganob, clearly the smaller man, appearing at least a weight class smaller despite the tiny difference the two had shown on the scales, landed far and away the cleaner punches while Vicelles looked a little uncomfortable. It was like he did not receive the respect he had expected upon deploying what he assumed was a superior offence and was not sure what to do about it. Certainly, it was not that Suganob was walking through him but he was certainly continuing to pick his punches and refused to be dissuaded from doing so by Vicelles. What was already clear was that there would be no technical mis-match and in fact, by the end of the fight, it would seem to me that Suganob was the superior technician.

Something of this message appeared to have reached Vicelles in the third; he boxed carefully, while Suganob, ominously, deepened his stance and showed himself prepared to wait. When both men amped up their aggression levels in the second half of the fight it seemed to me that Vicelles was the man doing the better work but that Suganob was the man fighting within himself. In the fourth, he proved it, countering with the punch he had been waiting to land in earnest, a flashing right-hand over the top that deposited Vicelles neatly on the canvas, only a little more than a flash knockdown it nevertheless signalled Suganob’s ownership of the ring and his taking control of the fight. Vicelles tried to re-take control in the fifth and landed some nice bodywork, but Suganob had his right hand dialled in and clearly won another round; in the sixth he re-applied himself and was able to land the right-hand punch as a finish to combinations that also included a left-hook. When an accidental headclash left Vicelles with what looked a serious cut above an eye he was in trouble on the cards, in the widest strategic sense and physically, bringing from him his best boxing of the fight in the seventh. Still though, Suganob seemed the coolest man in the house, neither disturbed nor uncovered by the pressure the more experienced man brought to bear.

When the referee interrupted the eighth to ask the ring doctor to take a look at the cut, Suganob was as firmly in control of the fight as he had been at any time during the contest. While the nature of the stoppage and technical decision prevents this being a performance that can be said to have put the 108lb division on notice, Suganob’s next fight is now must-see. A match with Sivenathi Nontshinga, the division’s number six fighter by my eye, would be most welcome.

For Vicelles I suspect it will be 112lbs. He had the experience and the depth of style to turn this one around and had those successes in the seventh to point to in any new negotiation but he is one loss from the crossroads.

On the undercard, Shane Gentallan (now 7-0, out of The Philippines) looked every inch the prospect in blasting out late substitute Faisol Akbar (now 6-7-1, Indonesia). Akbar has been stopped before, but in this decade and he had been jobbing as high 115lbs in the interim; this 105lb contest seemed a survivable ten rounds for him. Akbar’s strategy was to cover up and launch only big punches at his less experienced opponent and it seemed a plan with merit, but the body attack Gentallan unleashed was of high class. Akbar succumbed to a punch that left him sprawled on the canvas for minutes after it landed. Gentallan’s might be a name worth remembering.

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Bivol Evens the Score with Beterbiev; Parker and Stevenson Win Handily

Published

1 hour ago

February 22, 2025

David A. Avila

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It was labeled the best boxing card in history.

That’s up for debate.

And there was some debate as Dmitry Bivol avenged his loss to Artur Beterbiev to become the new undisputed light heavyweight world champion on Saturday by majority decision in a tactical battle.

“He gave me this chance and I appreciate it,” said Bivol of Beterbiev.

Bivol (24-1, 12 KOs) rallied from behind to give Beterbiev (21-1, 20 KOs) his first pro loss in their rematch at a sold out crowd in the Venue Riyadh Season in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Like their first encounter the rematch was also very close.

Four months ago, these two faced each other as undefeated light heavyweights. Now, after two furious engagements, both have losses.

Beterbiev was making his first defense as undisputed light heavyweight champion and made adjustments from their first match. This time the Russian fighter who trains in Canada concentrated on a body attack and immediately saw dividends.

For most of the first six rounds it seemed Beterbiev would slowly grind down Bivol until he reached an unsurmountable lead. But despite the momentum he never could truly hurt Bivol or gain separation.

Things turned around in the seventh round as Bivol opened up with combinations to the head and body while slipping Beterbiev’s blows. It was a sudden swing of momentum. But how long could it last?

“It was hard to keep him at the distance. I had to be smarter and punch more clean punches,” said Bivol.

Beterbiev attempted to regain the momentum but Bivol was not allowing it to happen. In the final 10 seconds he opened up with a machine gun combination. Though few of the punches connected it became clear he was not going to allow unclarity.

Using strategic movement Bivol laced quick combinations and immediately departed. Betebiev seemed determined to counter the fleet fighter but was unsuccessful for much of the second half of the fight.

Around the 10^th round Beterbiev stepped on the gas with the same formula of working the body and head. It gave Bivol pause but he still unleashed quick combos to keep from being overrun.

Bivol connected with combinations and Beterbiev connected with single body and head shots. It was going to be tough for the referees to decide which attack they preferred. After 12 rounds with no knockdowns one judge saw it a draw at 114-114. But two others saw Bivol the winner 116-112, 115-113.

“I was better. I was pushing myself more, I was lighter. I just wanted to win so much today,” said Bivol.

Beterbiev was gracious in defeat.

“Congratulations to Bivol’s team” said Beterbiev. “I think this fight was better than the first fight.”

After the match it was discussed that an effort to make a third fight is a strong possibility.

Heavyweight KO by Parker

Joseph Parker (36-3, 24 KOs) once again proved he could be the best heavyweight without a world title in knocking out the feared Martin Bakole (21-2, 16 KOs) to retain his WBO interim title. It was quick and decisive.

“Catch him when he is coming in,” said Parker, 33, about his plan.

After original foe IBF heavyweight titlist Daniel Dubois was forced to withdraw due to illness, Bakole willingly accepted the match with only two days’ notice. Many experts and fans around the world were surprised and excited Parker accepted the match.

Ever since Parker lost to Joe Joyce in 2022, the New Zealander has proven to be vastly improved with wins over Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang. Now you can add Bakole to the list of conquests.

Bakole, 33, was coming off an impressive knockout win last July and posed a serious threat if he connected with a punch. The quick-handed Bakole at 310 pounds and a two-inch height advantage is always dangerous.

In the first round Parker was wary of the fighter from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He kept his range and moved around the ring looking to poke a jab and move. Bakole caught him twice with blows and Parker retaliated.

It proved to be a very important test.

Parker refrained from moving and instead moved inside range of the big African fighter. Both exchanged liberally with Bakole connecting with an uppercut and Parker an overhand right.

Bakole shook his head at the blow he absorbed.

Both re-engaged and fired simultaneously. Parker’s right connected to the top of the head of Bakole who shuddered and stumbled and down he went and could not beat the count. The referee stopped the heavyweight fight at 2:17 of the second round. Parker retains his interim title by knockout.

“I’m strong, I’m healthy, I’m sharp,” said Parker. “I had to be patient.”

Shakur Wins

Despite an injured left hand southpaw WBC lightweight titlist Shakur Stevenson (23-0, 11 KOs) won by stoppage over late replacement Josh Padley (15-1, 6 KOs). It was an impressive accomplishment.

Often criticized for his lack of action and safety-first style, Stevenson was supposed to fight undefeated Floyd Schofield who pulled out due to illness. In stepped British lightweight Padley who had nothing to lose.

Padley was never hesitant to engage with the super-quick Stevenson and despite the lightning-quick combos by the champion, the British challenger exchanged liberally. It just wasn’t enough.

Even when Stevenson injured his left hand during an exchange in the sixth round, Padley just couldn’t take advantage. The speedy southpaw kept shooting the right jabs and ripping off right hooks. At the end of the sixth Stevenson briefly switched to a right-handed fighting style.

Stevenson used his right jabs and hooks to perfection. Double right hooks to the head and body seemed to affect the British challenger. A clean left to the body of Padley sent him to the floor for the count in the ninth round. It was a surprising knockdown due to his injured left. Padley got up and the fight resumed. Stevenson unloaded with right hooks to the body and down went the British fighter once again. He got up and tried to fight his way out but was met with another left to the body and down he went a third time. Padley’s corner tossed in a white towel to signify surrender. The referee stopped the fight at the end of the round. Stevenson scored his 11^th knockout win.

Photo credit: Mark Robinson / Matchroom

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Early Results from Riyadh where Hamzah Sheeraz was Awarded a Gift Draw

Published

4 hours ago

February 22, 2025

Arne K. Lang

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After two 6-round appetizers, British light heavyweights Joshua Buatsi and Callum Smith got the show rolling with a lusty 12-round skirmish. Things went south in the middle of the seven-fight main card when WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames locked horns with challenger Hamzah Sheeraz. This was a drab fight owing to a milquetoast performance by the favored Sheeraz.

Heading in, the lanky six-foot-three Sheeraz, whose physique is mindful of a young Thomas Hearns, was undefeated in 21 fights. Having stopped five of his last six opponents in two rounds or less, the 25-year-old Englishman was touted as the next big thing in the middleweight division. However, he fought off his back foot the entire contest, reluctant to let his hands go, and Adames kept his title when the bout was scored a draw.

Sheeraz had the crowd in his corner and two of the judges scored the match with their ears. Their tallies were 115-114 for Sheeraz and 114-114. The third judge had it 118-110 for Adames, the 30-year old Dominican, now 24-1-1, who had Ismael Salas in his corner.

Ortiz-Madrimov

Super welterweight Vergil Ortiz Jr, knocked out his first 21 opponents, begging the question of how he would react when he finally faced adversity. He showed his mettle in August of last year when he went a sizzling 12 rounds with fellow knockout artist Serhii Bohachuk, winning a hard-fought decision. Tonight he added another feather in his cap with a 12-round unanimous decision over Ismail Madrimov, prevailing on scores of 117-111 and 115-113 twice.

Ortiz won by adhering tight to Robert Garcia’s game plan. The elusive Madrimov, who bounces around the ring like the energizer bunny, won the early rounds. But eventually Ortiz was able to cut the ring off and turned the tide in his favor by landing the harder punches. It was the second straight loss for Madrimov (10-2-1), a decorated amateur who had lost a close but unanimous decision to Terence Crawford in his previous bout.

Kabayel-Zhang

No heavyweight has made greater gains in the last 15 months than Agit Kabayel. The German of Kurdish descent, whose specialty is body punching, made his third straight appearance in Riyadh tonight and, like in the previous two, fashioned a knockout. Today, although out-weighed by more than 40 pounds, he did away with Zhilei “Big Bang” Zhang in the sixth round.

It didn’t start out well for Kabayel. The New Jersey-based, six-foot-six Zhang, a two-time Olympian for China, started fast and plainly won the opening round. Kabayel beat him to the punch from that point on, save for one moment when Zhang put him on the canvas with a straight left hand.

That happened in the fifth round, but by the end of the frame, the 41-year-old Zhang was conspicuously gassed. The end for the big fellow came at the 2:29 mark of round six when he couldn’t beat the count after crumbling to the canvas in a delayed reaction after taking a hard punch to his flabby midsection.

Kabayel remains undefeated at 26-0 (18 KOs). Zhang (27-3-1) hadn’t previously been stopped.

Smith-Buatsi

The all-British showdown between light heavyweights Joshua Buatsi and Callum Smith was a grueling, fan-friendly affair. A former 168-pound world title-holder, Smith, 34, won hard-earned unanimous decision, prevailing on scores of 115-113, 116-112, and a ludicrous 119-110.

There were no knockdowns, but Liverpool’s Smith, who advanced to 31-2 (22) finished the contest with a bad gash in the corner of his right eye. It was the first pro loss for Buatsi (19-1), an Olympic bronze medalist who entered the contest a small favorite and was the defending “interim” title-holder.

This contest was also a battle of wits between two of America’s most prominent trainers, Buddy McGirt (Smith) and Virgil Hunter (Buatsi).

Check back shortly for David Avila’s wrap-up of the last three fights.

Photo credit: Mark Robinson / Matchroom

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Cain Sandoval KOs Mark Bernaldez in the Featured Bout at Santa Ynez

Published

20 hours ago

February 21, 2025

David A. Avila

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Northern California’s Cain Sandoval remained undefeated with a knockout win over Mark Bernaldez in a super lightweight battle on Friday on a 360 Promotions card.

Sandoval (15-0, 13 KOs) of Sacramento needed four rounds to figure out tough Filipino fighter Bernaldez (25-7, 14 KOs) in front of a packed crowd at Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez.

Bernaldez had gone eight rounds against Mexico’s very tough Oscar Duarte. He showed no fear for Sandoval’s reputed power and both fired bombs at each other from the second round on.

Things turned in favor of Sandoval when he targeted the body and soon had Bernaldez in retreat. It was apparent Sandoval had discovered a weakness.

In the beginning of the fourth Sandoval fired a stiff jab to the body that buckled Bernaldez but he did not go down. And when both resumed in firing position Sandoval connected with an overhand right and down went the Filipino fighter. He was counted out by referee Rudy Barragan at 34 seconds of the round.

“I’m surprised he took my jab to the body. I respect that. I have a knockout and I’m happy about that,” Sandoval said.

Other Bouts

Popular female fighter Lupe Medina (9-0) remained undefeated with a solid victory over the determined Agustina Vazquez (4-3-2) by unanimous decision after eight rounds in a minimumweight fight between Southern Californians.

Early on Vazquez gave Medina trouble disrupting her patter with solid jabs. And when Medina overloaded with combination punches, she was laced with counters from Vazquez during the first four rounds.

Things turned around in the fifth round as Medina used a jab to keep Vazquez at a preferred distance. And when she attacked it was no more than two-punch combination and maintaining a distance.

Vazquez proved determined but discovered clinching was not a good idea as Medina took advantage and overran her with blows. Still, Vazquez looked solid. All three judges saw it 79-73 for Medina.

A battle between Southern Californian’s saw Compton’s Christopher Rios (11-2) put on the pressure all eight rounds against Eastvale’s Daniel Barrera (8-1-1) and emerged the winner by majority decision in a flyweight battle.

It was Barrera’s first loss as a pro. He never could discover how to stay off the ropes and that proved his downfall. Neither fighter was knocked down but one judge saw it 76-76, and two others 79-73 for Rios.

In a welterweight fight Gor Yeritsyan (20-1,16 KOs) scorched Luis Ramos (23-7) with a 12-punch combination the sent him to the mat in the second round. After Ramos beat the count he was met with an eight punch volley and the fight was stopped at 2:11 of the second round by knockout.

Super feather prospect Abel Mejia (7-0, 5 KOs) floored Alfredo Diaz (9-12) in the fifth round but found the Mexican fighter to be very durable in their six-round fight. Mejia caught Diaz with a left hook in the fifth round for a knockdown. But the fight resumed with all three judges scoring it 60-53 for Mejia who fights out of El Modena, Calif.

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