Sivenathi Nontshinga

Sivenathi Nontshinga (born 3 December 1998) is a South African professional boxer. He is the current IBF light-flyweight world champion, having held the belt since September 2022. 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 sixth-best active light-flyweight by BoxRec[1] and the seventh-best by the IBF.[2]

Sivenathi Nontshinga
Statistics
Nickname(s)The Special One
Weight(s)Light-flyweight
Height5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
Reach67 in (170 cm)
Born (1998-12-03) 3 December 1998
Newlands, Eastern Cape, South Africa
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights12
Wins12
Wins by KO9

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]

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]

Nontshinga vs. Suganob

On February 28, 2023, Nontshinga was ordered by the IBF to make a mandatory title defense against Regie Suganob.[15] The title fight is scheduled to take place on June 16, 2023, at a TBA venue in South Africa.[16]

Professional boxing record
12 fights 12 wins 0 losses
By knockout 9 0
By decision 3 0
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
12 Win 12–0 Regie Suganob UD 12 2 Jul 2023 International Convention Centre, East London, South Africa Retained IBF light-flyweight title
11 Win 11–0 Hector Flores SD 12 3 Sep 2022 Centro de Usos Múltiples, Hermosillo, Mexico Won vacant IBF light-flyweight title
10 Win 10–0 Christian Araneta UD 12 24 Apr 2021 Boardwalk Casino, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
9 Win 9–0 Ivan Soriano KO 5 (12) 8 Mar 2020 Orient Theatre, East London, South Africa Retained IBF International light-flyweight title
8 Win 8–0 Siyabonga Siyo TKO 9 (12), 1:48 28 Jul 2019 Orient Theatre, East London, South Africa Retained IBF International light-flyweight title
7 Win 7–0 Adam Yahaya KO 1 (12), 1:27 7 Apr 2019 Nangoza Jebe Hall, Port Elizabeth, South Africa Won vacant IBF International light-flyweight title
6 Win 6–0 Muhsin Kizota TKO 7 (8) 9 Dec 2018 Orient Theatre, East London, South Africa
5 Win 5–0 Tisetso Modisadife TKO 9 (12), 2:51 21 Oct 2018 Orient Theatre, East London, South Africa Won vacant African light-flyweight title
4 Win 4–0 Nwabisile Cholani TKO 5 (6) 29 Jul 2018 Orient Theatre, East London, South Africa
3 Win 3–0 Lusizo Manzana KO 3 (4) 8 Apr 2018 Orient Theatre, East London, South Africa
2 Win 2–0 Sive Jongwana TKO 2 (4) 10 Dec 2017 Orient Theatre, East London, South Africa
1 Win 1–0 Sandile Wessels TKO 3 (6) 30 Jul 2017 Orient Theatre, East London, South Africa

See also

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. 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. 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. Donovan, Jake (28 February 2023). "Sive Nontshinga-Regie Suganob Mandatory Junior Flyweight Title Fight Ordered By IBF". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  16. 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.
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