Sivenathi Nontshinga

Last updated

Sivenathi Nontshinga
Born (1998-12-03) 3 December 1998 (age 25)
Newlands, Eastern Cape,
South Africa
Other namesThe Special One
Statistics
Weight(s) Light flyweight
Height5 ft 5 in (165 cm)
Reach67 in (170 cm)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights14
Wins13
Wins by KO13
Losses1
Draws0
No contests0

Sivenathi Nontshinga (born 3 December 1998) is a South African professional boxer. He is a two-time IBF light-flyweight world champion, having held the belt from 2022 to November 2023 in his first reign, and since February 2024 in his second reign. He has previously held the IBF International light-flyweight title from 2019 to 2022. Also a former African light-flyweight champion, he is ranked as the world's fifth-best active light-flyweight by BoxRec [1] and the seventh-best by the IBF. [2]

Contents

Early life

Nontshinga was raised in Newlands, a "chicken farm community" located at the entrance to Mdantsane township in Eastern Cape. [3] His father, Thembani Gopheni, is his trainer and his handler. [3]

Professional boxing career

Early career

Nontshinga made his professional debut on 30 July 2017 at the age of 18, defeating Sandile Wessels in a third-round finish in East London. After four stoppages in his first four fights, he was soon recognized as a promising teen sensation in South Africa. [3] In only his fifth pro fight, he defeated Tisetso Modisadife for the vacant African light-flyweight title. [4]

On 7 April 2019, he scored a first-round knockout over Adam Yahaya to win the vacant IBF International light-flyweight title in Port Elizabeth. [5] [6] In his first title defense, Nontshinga defeated compatriot Siyabonga Siyo, a fighter he idolised growing up. [4] He finished Siyo with a barrage of blows in the ninth round to make it eighth stoppage wins in eighth fights. [7] He retained his belt again on 8 March 2020 by defeating Ivan Soriano, ranked number 5 by the IBF, at the Orient Theatre in East London. [8] Nontshinga suffered a swollen left eye early, but after knocking him down at the end of the fourth round, he dropped the veteran for good in the fifth with a right cross. [9] [10]

After more than a year without a fight due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Nontshinga defeated Filipino prospect Christian Araneta in an IBF title eliminator in Port Elizabeth on 24 April 2021. Although he was knocked down in the 12th round, he was favored unanimously on the judges' scorecards (115–112, 114–113, 114–113). [11]

IBF light flyweight champion

Nontshinga vs. Flores

Nontshinga faced the undefeated Hector Flores for the vacant IBF light flyweight title on 3 September 2022, following a seventeen-month absence from the sport, at the Centro de Usos Múltiples in Hermosillo, Mexico and was as such his first fight outside of his native South Africa. The bout was scheduled for the undercard of the Juan Francisco Estrada and Argi Cortes super flyweight title bout. [12] Nontshinga won the fight by split decision. Two of the judges scored the fight 116–111 and 114–113 in his favor, while the third judge scored it 115–112 for Flores. Nontshinga scored the sole knockdown of the fight in the second round, as he floored his opponent with a right hook which looped around the guard. [13] The newly crowned Nontshinga signed a promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing four days after capturing the vacant belt. [14] The championship bout was later awarded "Fight of the Year" honors by the IBF. [15]

Nontshinga vs. Suganob

On February 28, 2023, Nontshinga was ordered by the IBF to make a mandatory title defense against Regie Suganob. [16] The title fight was booked to take place on June 16, 2023, [17] at the International Convention Centre in East London, South Africa. [18] The event organizers, Rumble Africa Promotions, later postponed the event to July 2 to allow SABC Sport to setup TV coverage. [19] Nontshinga won the fight by unanimous decision, with two scorecards of 116–112 and one scorecard of 117–110 in his favor. [20]

Nontshinga vs. Curiel I & II

Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing confirmed on September 11, 2023, that Nontshinga would make a voluntary title defense against the #11 ranked IBF light-flyweight contender Adrian Curiel. The fight took place at the Casino de Monte Carlo Salle Medecin in Monte Carlo, Monaco on November 4, 2023, [21] [22] as the co-main event to the IBF super-featherweight title bout between Joe Cordina and Edward Vazquez. [23] Nontshinga lost the fight by an upset second-round knockout. [24] An immediate rematch was booked for February 16, 2024, and took place in Oaxaca City, Mexico. [25] Nontshinga reclaimed the title by a tenth-round technical knockout. He knocked Curiel down 44 seconds into the tenth round, before forcing the referee to wave the fight off with a flurry of punches on a cornered and unresponsive Curiel. [26]

Professional boxing record

14 fights13 wins1 loss
By knockout101
By decision30
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
14Win13–1 Adrian Curiel TKO10 (12) 0:4416 Feb 2024 Oaxaca City, Oaxaca, MexicoWon IBF light-flyweight title
13Loss12–1 Adrian Curiel KO2 (12) 1:094 Nov 2023Casino de Monte Carlo Salle Medecin, Monte Carlo, MonacoLost IBF light-flyweight title
12Win12–0 Regie Suganob UD122 Jul 2023International Convention Centre, East London, South AfricaRetained IBF light-flyweight title
11Win11–0Hector FloresSD123 Sep 2022Centro de Usos Múltiples, Hermosillo, MexicoWon vacant IBF light-flyweight title
10Win10–0 Christian Araneta UD1224 Apr 2021Boardwalk Casino, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
9Win9–0Ivan SorianoKO5 (12)8 Mar 2020Orient Theatre, East London, South AfricaRetained IBF International light-flyweight title
8Win8–0Siyabonga SiyoTKO9 (12), 1:4828 Jul 2019Orient Theatre, East London, South AfricaRetained IBF International light-flyweight title
7Win7–0Adam YahayaKO1 (12), 1:277 Apr 2019Nangoza Jebe Hall, Port Elizabeth, South AfricaWon vacant IBF International light-flyweight title
6Win6–0Muhsin KizotaTKO7 (8)9 Dec 2018Orient Theatre, East London, South Africa
5Win5–0Tisetso ModisadifeTKO9 (12), 2:5121 Oct 2018Orient Theatre, East London, South AfricaWon vacant African light-flyweight title
4Win4–0Nwabisile CholaniTKO5 (6)29 Jul 2018Orient Theatre, East London, South Africa
3Win3–0Lusizo ManzanaKO3 (4)8 Apr 2018Orient Theatre, East London, South Africa
2Win2–0Sive JongwanaTKO2 (4)10 Dec 2017Orient Theatre, East London, South Africa
1Win1–0Sandile WesselsTKO3 (6)30 Jul 2017Orient Theatre, East London, South Africa

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "BoxRec: Light flyweight ratings". boxrec.com. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  2. ↑ "IBF Ratings". www.ibf-usba-boxing.com. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  3. 1 2 3 Zifo, Mesuli (17 August 2018). "Teen sensation to put his gloves to great use in the square ring". Daily Dispatch . Retrieved 15 May 2020– via PressReader.
  4. 1 2 Magasela, Bongani (6 March 2020). "Young Sivenathi Nontshinga and others to erupt". The Sowetan . Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  5. ↑ Jackson, Ron (7 April 2019). "Fuzile wins in style over Koasicha". SuperSport . Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  6. ↑ Malan, Droeks (7 April 2019). "AZINGA FUZILE DAZZLES AGAINST ROMULO KOASICHA, LOOKS TOWARD TITLE SHOT". ringtv.com. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  7. ↑ Magasela, Bongani (30 July 2019). "Siyo no match for Nontshinga". The Sowetan . Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  8. ↑ Zifo, Mesuli (8 April 2020). "Nontshinga not rushing for world title shot". Daily Dispatch . Retrieved 15 May 2020– via PressReader.
  9. ↑ "Nontshinga scores spectacular knockout". Daily Dispatch. 8 March 2020. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  10. ↑ Malan, Droeks (8 March 2020). "YANGA SIGQIBO KOS CRIS PAULINO IN 7, SIVENATHI NONTSHINGA REMAINS UNBEATEN". ringtv.com. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  11. ↑ Malan, Droeks (24 April 2021). "Sivenathi Nontshinga survives last round scare, outboxes Christian Araneta to win IBF eliminator". ringtv.com. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  12. ↑ Isaacson, David (28 August 2022). "Groomed Sive Nontshinga aiming for a slice of SA boxing history". timeslive.co.za. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  13. ↑ Songalia, Ryan (3 September 2022). "Sivenathi Nontshinga Outfights Hector Flores To Split Decision Victory, Wins IBF Junior Flyweight Title". ringtv.com. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  14. ↑ Random Hits (7 September 2022). "Sivenathi Nontshinga Inks Promotional Agreement With Eddie Hearn". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  15. ↑ Isaacson, David. "SA boxer Nontshinga receives IBF award for title-winning performance". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  16. ↑ Donovan, Jake (28 February 2023). "Sive Nontshinga-Regie Suganob Mandatory Junior Flyweight Title Fight Ordered By IBF". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  17. ↑ Stumberg, Patrick L. (11 April 2023). "Sivenathi Nontshinga vs Regie Suganob title fight set for June 16th in South Africa". badlefthook.com. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  18. ↑ Magasela, Bongani. "Notshinga to enjoy home support as he defends IBF title". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  19. ↑ "Sivenathi Nontshinga welcomes TV Coverage confirmation & date change for world title fight | main-domain". SABC. 8 June 2023. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  20. ↑ Magasela, Bongani. "Nontshinga thrills home crowd as he retains title in style". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  21. ↑ "Matchroom Confirms Nontshinga Fight". inksport.co.za. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  22. ↑ Mnyandu, Velile (28 September 2023). "Sivenathi Nontshinga aiming for unification after voluntary IBF title defence". SABC. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  23. ↑ Wainwright, Anson (1 November 2023). "Sivenathi Nontshinga takes on Adrian Curiel hoping to keep and then unify his belt". The Ring. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  24. ↑ "SA's only mainstream world champion Nontshinga KO'd in Monte Carlo". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  25. ↑ Hits, Random (26 January 2024). "Adrian Curiel vs. Sivenathi Nontshinga Rematch Lands in Oaxaca". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  26. ↑ Hansen, John (16 February 2024). "Comeback! Sivenathi Nontshinga rallies to stop Adrian Curiel and reclaim IBF belt". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Michael Ebo Danquah 		ABU Light flyweight champion
21 October 2018 – 7 April 2019
Vacated		Vacant
New title IBF International
light-flyweight champion
7 April 2019 – 3 September 2022
Won world title
World boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Felix Alvarado 		IBF Light flyweight champion
3 September 2022 – 4 November 2023		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Adrian Curiel
 IBF Light flyweight champion
16 February 2024 – present		Incumbent
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