Sivenathi Nontshinga reclaims IBF World title in Mexico

By Velile Mnyandu
17th February 2024

It took a special performance from Sivenathi “Special One” Nontshinga to reclaim his International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior-flyweight title, as he stopped Mexican boxer Adrian Curiel at the Guelaguetza Auditorium in Oaxaca, this morning.

Nontshinga, who had lost his title to Curiel in Monte Carlo in November last year, turned the tables around on the Mexican from the eighth round and stopped him in the 10th round, as Curiel struggled to deal with the barrage of punches.

Nontshinga says he polished all his weapons for this rematch.

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"As you know that I'm the 'Special One'. I'd like to give credit to Matchroom Boxing for getting me such opportunities, you know Mr Eddie Hearn, we talk about Kevin [Rooney], Frank Smith. I started this with them, I became a world champion. Let me not forget my team Colin Nathan, my father Thembani Gopheni, Benny Helman. Even when I lost the title I cried so much, wanted the rematch and I got it today, I had to make sure that I polish every weapon and I come sharp as ever," Nontshinga said.

Nontshinga returns home from Mexico on Monday, he will land at the OR Tambo International Airport at 10:30am.

Promoted by one of the leading promoters in the world of boxing---Matchroom, Nontshinga showed his class as he won this bout in style and doing it for the second time in Mexico, the country where he initially won it in September 2022, against another Mexican Hector Flores.

Nontshinga says after losing to Curiel in a second-round stoppage in November, they’ve been working very hard in the gym, even during Christmas time.

"You know I've been working so hard ever since I lost the title. I think I rested for two weeks then Colin texted me then told me that I must get back to the gym and make sure that I work so hard. So, it was a Christmas, everybody was having their festivities, I didn't have the time for it. I just went home and spent time with my family and then I came back and work so hard for this moment," Nontshinga said.

Nontshinga, who extends his colorful record to 13 wins (10 via Knockouts) and only one loss in 14 bouts, also becomes the first South African to regain his world title in an immediate rematch.