Directed by Suganob by Van Clayton H. Responde
Age: 24
Residence: Bohol, Philippines
Weight class: Junior Flyweight
Height: 5-foot-5 (165 cm)
Amateur record: About 50 amateur fights
turned pro: 2018
Pro record: 11-0 (4 knockouts)
Trainer: Edsel Burlas (Head Coach), Niñolito Janaiz (Current Trainer)
Manager: Floriezyl Echavez Podot
promoter: PMI Bohol Boxing Promotions
Best night of the professional career and why: Suganob used his boxing skills to good effect, dropping his compatriot Jerome Baloro in the sixth round and dominating him over 10 rounds to claim a unanimous decision.
“My best night as a pro was when I won the IBF (youth) title against Jerome Baloro,” Suganob told The Ring. “It was my best because it was my dream to win a title fight.
“We did a lot of preparation to win that game. It was a good fight and I’m glad I won.”
Worst Night of Professional Career and Why: The Filipino had a difficult introduction to the professional ranks, but was able to retire fellow debutant Mark Torella in November 2018.
“It was in Cebu, when I didn’t have a coach next to me in the corner because my coach didn’t have a license,” he explained. “I was worried that time, but I thought about the training we did to win the fight and I knew the fans were cheering me on during the fight.
“I’ve learned that it’s hard when you don’t have a coach by your side. No one will tell you what to do.”
What’s next: Suganob will compete against Andika D’Golden Boy on September 9 in Dimiao, Philippines.
“I think it will be a good and exciting fight because we are both unbeaten,” he said. “[If I win] mine [world] ranking will go up and I think I am close to the world title.”
D’Golden Boy (19-0-1, 10 KOs) turned pro in 2014. The 26-year-old Indonesian southpaw has fought exclusively at home. He has won the national title and a WBA regional title. D’Golden is coming off a six-round draw by Wandi Priman Hulu in June.
Why he’s a prospect: Suganob boxed about 50 amateur matches, gaining experience before turning pro.
“I have won three gold medals in the Private School Athletic Association (PRISAA) and one gold medal in Philippine National Games (PNG),” he explained. “The Philippine national team hired me to be part of their team, but I switched to professional boxing.”
The 24-year-old from Bohol has sparred with many top professionals, but one in particular stands out.
“I sparred” [four-weight world champion] Donnie Nietes,’ he said. “It was a good spar and I learned a lot from him. I learned how a world champion fights.”
In addition to Nietes, he has fought with three-time titleholder Kosei Tanaka (17-1, 10 KOs), two-time world title challenger Jonas Sultan (18-6, 11 KOs), undefeated junior bantamweight contender Kevin Jake Cataraja (15-0, 13 KOs) , world-renowned junior flyweights Christian Araneta (22-2, 17 KOs) and Mark Vicelles (17-0-1, 10 KOs).
Suganob feels a certain area separates him from his contemporaries.
“My best quality as a fighter is my stamina,” he said. “You have to have good stamina to last a long time in many rounds.”
Suganob is currently ranked No. 6 in the IBF, no doubt helped by winning their youth title last year and most likely has his eyes set on fighting for that title.
Why he is a suspect: It is still relatively early in Suganob’s professional career, even though he has his eyes set on fighting for the world title.
He has not been a professional for four years and has only completed 57 rounds of action so far. A few more fights, where he can build on what he already has, could be a wise move.
The OPBF title would be a good route, but the current incumbent Shokichi Iwata is particularly dangerous and may be worth looking at other routes. It may be wise to look at the regional title battles of other sanctioning bodies to improve its standing across the board.
Although Suganob gets a knockout in the first round, it doesn’t look like his power will threaten the elite in the division, so he must make the most of his other attributes.
Suganob appreciates that he is far from the finished article.
“I still have a lot to improve in my skills,” he admitted. “That’s why I train hard to improve my strength, fitness, technique and overall boxing skills.”
Storylines: Suganob has two brothers and his parents both work, his father is a driver while his mother works in an office.
Interestingly, the Filipino thinks things used to be less complicated when he was younger.
“I was born in the 90s, then not everyone was mobile and addicted to social media like people are today.” he said.
He became interested in boxing at a young age and from then on it continued.
“I was 11 years old when I became interested in boxing,” he said. “I was interested because I wanted to know more about self-discipline. And I focus in training to avoid temptations and bad influences.”
His goal is to become world champion and he updates the current champions.
“[I want] to become world champion weighing 108 pounds,” he said. “I feel I’m close to the world title. I’m aiming for the champions.”
Unsurprisingly, his hero is someone all Filipinos look up to.
“My boxing hero is Manny Pacquiao,” he said. “[He] is a great boxer. He brings honor to our country by making it in the boxing world.
“I was inspired by his great dedication and hard work to fulfill his dreams. I’ve never seen Manny Pacquiao in person, but I hope to see him one day.”
Suganob has a girlfriend, with whom he has an eight-month-old daughter. He describes himself as an easygoing person who enjoys spending time with his family. When he’s not working out, he likes to entertain himself by playing popular mobile games and watching the NBA.
Fight-for-fight record
2022
July 23 – Asyer Aluman – TKO 1
March 7 – Ricardo Sueno – UD 10
2021
Dec 10 – Jerome Baloro – UD 10
September 27 – Jake Amparo – UD 8
July 3 – MJ Bo – RTD 1
March 27 – Paolo Sy – TKO 3
2020
December 18 – Robert Ates – UD 6
2019
Dec 14 – Rolly Dorong – UD 6
September 23 – John Paul Gabunilas – UD 6
July 26 – Kier Torregosa – UD 4
2018
November 24 – Mark Torella – TKO 2
Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at: [email protected] and you can follow him on Twitter @AnsonWainwright
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