The boy is ready - Sivenathi Nontshinga's father on historic home bout

Nontshinga will face Filipino boxer Regie Suganob at the East London International Convention Centre on Sunday afternoon, in what would be the first fight of this magnitude in more than a decade in that area and in the country. Gopheni, a boxing trainer himself says this is the fight that Nontshinga has to win and bring hope to the nation.

"I'm very excited and I'm happy about the opportunity. We've been preparing for a very long time, the boy is ready mentally, physically, and spiritually. We've been working hard and there's only one thing we want, a win for South Africa, for him, for his family, for his kids and for everybody who's been there supporting him," he said.

This is going to be Nontshinga’s first fight since he won this title, beating Mexican boxer Hector Flores on points in his own backyard in September last year. Nontshinga hails from Chicken Farm just outside Mdantsane, Gopheni is expecting a good turnout this weekend.

"Everybody is supporting him back home, everybody is talking about the fight. Everybody is talking about what's going to happen in the ICC down in East London and the whole team is excited. The whole team is excited because he's fit, especially when we watch our opponents fight and we are happy about Sive. So, we are sure he's going to defend the title," he explained.

About two years ago, Gopheni took a noble decision to send Nontshinga to train with Colin Nathan at the Hotbox Gym and it’s a decision he doesn’t regret, with his son now a respected world champion

"First thing is he's my son, he started boxing when he was around 7 or 8. So, he's been boxing since and he won a world title. We've been together [training together] up until I sent him to Joburg so that he could fulfill his dreams of becoming a world champion. I'm happy for him, I'm happy for everybody who's been there for him, Colin Nathan, Rumble Africa Boxing promotions, Siyanda Zingelwa, Kwezi Booi and everybody."