Sivenathi Nontshinga to defend world title at home

Ntutu confirmed to SABC Sport yesterday that RAP have confirmed East London’s International Convention Centre (ICC) will host the fight between International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior flyweight champion Nontshinga and Regie Suganob from the Philippines on the 16th of June.

"The provisional venue for the fight is East London, we are talking to everyone about the fight. Remember, in our case in the South African context, we don't

The confirmation of the venue follows last week’s development that RAP had managed to reach an agreement with Suganob camp for this fight to be staged in South Africa. 

This also meant that the possibility of going for purse bids was avoided. Ntutu says they have been knocking on different doors and they are hoping that both provincial and national government would come to the party.

"In our situtation, we need support from either the national government, provincial government, and municipalities. We have negotiated with several government officials and there is positive feedback and attention given to this fight from the Eastern Cape. Because when we consulted with the officials, we told them that there's a danger of losing to this challenger. We also told them that this boy is the only World Champion in South Africa so we need to defend such a milestone," he added.

Nontshinga won this IBF title in September last year after beating Mexican Hector Flores in his backyard, a bout that went on to be voted as the fight of the year. It has always been the dream of the 24-year-old to fight in front of his home crowd.

"He won the fight very far away from home, in Mexico. It's not nice for any boxer not to defend at home. It is understandable when you are a challenger because you don't have a privilege, so you are obligated to fight and work hard because you are not a champion. So, when you are a champion and not defend in your hometown, city, or town then it becomes a problem. It demoralises the boxer or any athlete," he concluded.