‘Pretty’ Nontshinga looks for more history
● Sivenathi Nontshinga is out to become the first local fighter to reclaim a mainstream world crown when he takes on Adrian Curiel in Mexico on Friday night.
South Africa has had some 40 holders of mainstream belts since 1950, but this elusive first remains open for Nontshinga, who made history in 2022 when he won the IBF junior-flyweight mantle in his 11th bout, the quickest route to glory.
The downside of being in a position to reclaim a world title means the fighter had to lose. The 25-year-old, however, is finding the positives from his shock second-round defeat that nobody predicted, especially at the hands of Curiel, a man not considered a puncher, with just four stoppages in 29 outings.
“I’m glad that I lost the title back in November because I’m no longer the same person that I was a few months ago...
“It was just a slight mistake that I committed and then I got punished so that was a learning curve,” Nontshinga said after a training session this week.
In sparring he showed a different style to the one he’s used for his past two bouts. He’s no longer offering openings at range, but rather sticking close and keeping his guard up. “You can’t let the losses define you ... but make you stronger, to make you vigilant and wise so that you don’t go back there again.”
Trainer-manager Colin Nathan says there is a different feeling going into this fight. “We’ve had to rethink the strategy we went in with the first fight.”
Another element will be putting to bed any doubts in the minds of critics, such as whether Nontshinga has a glass jaw, or may be gun-shy or simply not up to being a good world champion. “I love challenges,” said Nathan.
“We were expected to win the first fight. Now there’s a lot of questions in the rematch, which provides a lot of intrigue from a boxing fan’s perspective. And from a coach’s perspective I’ve got my work cut out, but I’ve also done my homework, and I’ve prepared probably harder than for the first contest.”
Nontshinga is only the third deposed world champion to engage in an immediate rematch, with Vic Toweel and Dingaan Thobela failing in 1953 and 1994, respectively. Welcome Ncita had a couple of fights before getting his return against Kennedy McKinney, which he lost.
“I used to knock people out, knock them down, but he capitalised on that because I was comfortable. Let’s give him [Curiel] his credit, but I’m back to grab what’s mine,” said Nontshinga.
“I’m glad that it happened the way it happened. And at the end of the day I’m still pretty, I’m still ready, I still look fine as hell and ready to get inside the ring and grab my title.”