Nontshinga Suffers Knockout Defeat Against Suganob In IBF Title Eliminator
By Bhongo Jacob
12 September 2026 · 1 min read
Filipino Regie Suganob avenges his 2023 defeat to the South African with a fifth-round knockout that dents Nontshinga’s hopes of another world-title shot.
South African boxer Sivenathi Nontshinga has suffered a fifth-round knockout defeat to Regie Suganob in their IBF junior flyweight title eliminator in Tagbilaran City, the Philippines, dealing a major blow to his hopes of earning another world title opportunity.
Nontshinga, 27, entered Saturday's highly anticipated rematch looking to settle unfinished business with Suganob after defeating the Filipino in the Eastern Cape in July 2023.
But the tables were turned this time as Suganob produced a decisive performance, stopping the South African in the fifth round.
The defeat marks a disappointing night for Nontshinga, who had been ranked No. 7 by The Ring at 108 pounds and was looking to move closer to another shot at the IBF junior flyweight world title.
Nontshinga had entered the contest with a record of 14 wins and one defeat, including 11 knockouts, according to his record before the bout. Suganob's victory avenges his previous loss to Nontshinga and puts the Filipino firmly in contention for a future world-title opportunity.
For Nontshinga, the result represents a significant setback, but the former world champion remains an experienced fighter and will now have to regroup following the biggest disappointment of his latest title campaign.
