Publications
Partners
South Africa’s only credible world champion and the reigning IBF junior flyweight titlist, Sivenathi “Special One” Nontshinga, cannot wait to defend his crown at home.
Young Nontshinga has been dreaming about this since he captured the world title in Mexico last year.
His performance in that fight was outstanding and he scored a split decision victory against Hector Flores.
That bout ultimately scooped IBF’s fight of the year title.
With the fight in his own back yard, the rising star intends to impress his boxing-crazy fans by defending his crown in spectacular fashion next weekend in East London in the Eastern Cape.
READ: Boxer Ndongeni itching to settle beef
The 24-year-old will make his first title defence against mandatory challenger Regie Suganob (25) at the International Convention Centre next Sunday.
Speaking to City Press at Colin Nathan’s Hot Box Gym this week, the boxing sensation said he was excited to fight in front of his home crowd.
Nontshinga said:
He added: “Now I am a credible world champion and will make my first defence in front of them. I feel blessed and grateful."
Nontshinga, who is based in Gauteng, has worked with world-class sparring partners to make sure he is in tiptop shape for the battle against the Filipino challenger.
“The preparations went well. I’m fit, I’m sharp. I have been pushing myself so hard. We have been pushing one another with my sparring partners Hekkie Budler, DeeJay Kriel and Sikho Nqothole.
“I did 200 rounds of sparring. I’m looking forward to next weekend. I promise, when I get inside that ring, I will break that boy’s bones,” said Nontshinga.
READ: Ludumo ‘9mm’ Lamati ready to fire punches in Belfast
The unbeaten pugilist has earned himself the title of being a knockout specialist. Nine of his 11 opponents never heard the last bell. Now he is chasing a victory against Suganob.
But if the knockout comes it would be a bonus. “Knocking him out is not part of the plan but if an opportunity of doing that comes, I’m taking him out. We have our own game plan. Come fight day, I will execute the plan well,” he said.
Meanwhile, Rumble Africa Promotion boss Terris Ntutu, who is staging the tournament, said he was expecting a full house because Nontshinga was a fan-favourite.
Ntutu said:
He continued: “Yes, we are expecting a full capacity crowd; the interest is high. And we are happy, the venue is big, it is top class and everyone is going to be comfortable. We are inviting everybody to come and see the talent we have in South Africa. Even other interested parties are invited to partner with us to expose them to the world that they have assisted this young star from South Africa [to create].”
However, Ntutu lamented the lack of support from the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality where Nontshinga comes from.
Despite the absence of the municipality’s support for one of its own, Ntutu said he was “grateful to everyone who has been there to ensure that next weekend’s boxing tournament becomes a reality”.
He added: “We just wish that everyone can understand the importance and seriousness of this event, especially the authorities. This boy is from East London. He’s going to make East London proud. Sadly, he’s not supported by the municipality."
Ntutu said:
He added: "The minister of sport as well. We appreciate all the support we are given, not only to us but to Sive [Nontshinga] as well.”
Ntutu said for future fights they would consider other venues because “we can’t go back to where we are not appreciated”.
