Vicelles nears peak form for IBF 108lb eliminator

By: Lemuel P. Maglinte

(Contributor)

Unbeaten Mark ‘Rasta Mac’ Vicelles (17-0, 10KOs) of Omega Boxing Gym is close to peak form three weeks before his IBF junior flyweight title eliminator against another undefeated Pinoy fighter Regie ‘Phenom’ Suganob (12-0, 4KOs) headlining ‘Kumong Bol-anon XI’ fight card at the Calape Cultural Center in Bohol.

The winner of this ordered fight will become the mandatory challenger to reigning IBF junior flyweight titlist Sive Nontshinga (11-0, 9KOs) of South Africa.

“Mark already logged close to a hundred rounds of sparring. His preparation is intense as he really wants to win this fight and get that title shot,” said Omega Gym supervisor and head trainer Julius Erving “Jinggoy” Junco.

Junco said that Vicelles has been showing great condition as he sparred with world-class Pinoy fighters in the likes of world-rated KJ Cataraja and newly crowned WBO minimumweight champion Melvin Jerusalem.

“Aside from the title shot, this win is big not only for Mark but also for us (Omega Boxing Gym) after a series of losses from our fighters in the previous fights,” added Junco.

Vicelles, for his part, expects a tough fight against Suganob but expressed confidence in winning the all-Filipino showdown.

“Gahi si Suganob ug maayo siya og counter-punching pero ako nang gipangandaman ako buhaton ibabaw sa ring,” said the Sultan Kudarat-native. “Di ko musaad og knockout pero kung makakita ko og buslot sa iya depensa, segurado nga akong kuhaon.” (Suganob is tough and good in counter punching, but I have prepared for what I will do on the ring. I won’t promiser a knockout but if I can see a crack on his defense, for sure I would grab the opportunity.)