Sumabong sets sights on world title, but promoter wants title defense

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Fresh off an impressive title unification victory, Joseph “The Hunter” Sumabong believes he is ready to take the next step in his career and challenge for a world championship.

Sumabong, who dominated previously unbeaten Taiwanese boxer Jheng Ciou in the main event of “Kumong Bol-Anon 25” on July 11 in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, said he is now prepared to fight for a world title.

The 24-year-old Tagbilaran City native unified the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia Pacific and Oriental and the Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) Silver minimumweight titles after earning a unanimous decision victory over Ciou.

At the top of his wish list is a showdown against reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) minimumweight champion Siyakholwa Kuse of South Africa, who dethroned Filipino champion Melvin Jerusalem in May.

“Sa pagkakaron wala pa ko kahibalo kinsa akong kontra sunod. Pero andam nako mo away para world title. Akong gusto kontrahon si Kuse kay duol-duol na akong ranking niya sa WBC,” said Sumabong.

(Right now, I don’t know who my next opponent is yet. But I am ready to fight for a world title. I want to fight Kuse because my ranking is quite close to his in the WBC.)

Sumabong needs one more title defense

While Sumabong is eager to pursue a world title, his promoter and manager, Atty. Floriezyl Echavez-Podot, believes one more title defense would better prepare his prized fighter before stepping onto the world stage.

Sumabong is currently ranked No. 6 by the WBC, No. 8 by the World Boxing Association (WBA), No. 10 by the WBO, and No. 13 by the International Boxing Federation (IBF) in the minimumweight division.

“Atong plano ana, kung mo depensa siya sa iyahang belt, foreigner atong pangitaon nga kontra,” Podot said.

(Our plan for that, if he defends his belt, is to look for a foreigner as an opponent.)

Although pleased with Sumabong’s development, Podot said there are still areas that need polishing, particularly his punching accuracy.

“Sa stamina, okay kaayo. Ang develop niya ang pagdakop sa kontra kay daghan ug hungaw nga kumo. Kung ikumpara nimo ang dula niya sauna, mas ni-improve karon, pero maayo lang gyud iyahang kontra. Dili pud nato kamahayan ba,” said Podot.

READ: Joseph Sumabong dominates Taiwanese foe in ‘Kumong Bol-Anon 25’ main event

(In terms of stamina, it’s very good. What needs development is how he corners [catches] his opponent, because many of his punches are missing. If you compare his performance to before, he has really improved now, but his opponent was just really good. We can’t really blame him either.)

“Hinog siya sa iyahang makontra. Depende sa iyahang kontra. Tan-awon pa nato, pero kung mahatagan ug chance makadula ug world title, tagaan gyud nato ug chance. Pero depende sa kontra karon, mga kusog man ang mga kontra karon.”

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(He is well-matched for whoever he faces. It depends on his opponent. We’ll have to see, but if given a chance to fight for a world title, we will definitely give him that chance. But it depends on the opponent right now, because the opponents these days are really strong.)

Podot is also open to bringing Kuse to the Philippines instead of sending Sumabong to South Africa, believing it would be the safer option based on past experience.

He said PMI Bohol Boxing Promotions has the financial capability to host a world title fight in Bohol, citing the promotion’s successful effort to secure the upcoming world title eliminator rematch between Regie Suganob and Sivenathi Nontshinga this September.

Podot also noted that a world title opportunity could open up if unified WBO and WBA minimumweight champion Oscar Collazo decides to move up in weight.

READ: Sumabong stuns Japanese Kitano, seizes WBO Asia-Pacific title

“Ana man si Leon (Panoncillo) nga open ang WBO minimumweight title once mosaka si Collazo, ma-open na kung kinsa mo-fight ana. Dako ug chance nga iyahang makontra si Kuse, pero dili lang sad mi modula didto. Lisud moadto didto. Sila moanhi diri kay makaya man nato ilahang purse. Dili lang ta hagit ug adto didto duwaon kay lisud gyud,” Podot said.

(Leon [Panoncillo] said that the WBO minimumweight title will be open once Collazo moves up [in weight], it will be vacant for whoever fights for it. There is a big chance he will face Kuse, but we won’t just fight over there. It’s tough to go there. They should come here instead because we can afford their purse. Let’s not just challenge them and fight over there because it’s really difficult.)

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