Nontshinga Vows to Reclaim the IBF Title in Curiel Rematch
November 16 represents the most important fight to date in the career of former IBF junior flyweight champion Sivenathi “Special One” Nontshinga (12-1, 9 KOs). At the Auditorio Guelaguetza in Oaxaca, Mexico, the 25-year-old will fight a rematch against reigning IBF champion Adrian Curiel (24-4-1, 5 KOs). Nonthshinga has one clear agenda on his mind, and that is to reclaim the IBF strap.
OUT FOR REVENGE
During a news conference in Mexico, Special One told the boxing press he’s grateful for the chance to regain the title. The 25-year-old from Newlands, Eastern Cape, South Africa said it’s an opportunity he will not let slip through his fingers.
“I’ve worked so hard. It’s not the first time preparing for a title fight. I’ve been a champion before, and I promise everybody that once I’ll again prevail. Once I step inside the ring, I will prevail.”
Nontshinga won the IBF strap with a hard-fought split-decision victory over Hector Flores in September 2022. Following an easy title defense over Regie Suganob in July 2023, Nontshinga was being hailed as the new face of South African boxing and looked at as a threat to the division’s kingpin, unified junior flyweight champion, Kenshiro Teraji.
But Curiel sent shockwaves throughout the boxing world when he stopped Nontshinga in two rounds to win the title on November 4, 2023. A mere three months later, the two warriors will battle once again.
MENTAL AND PHYSICAL OBSTACLES
On paper, the South African is the more physically gifted fighter. But that didn’t matter during their first encounter as he crumbled the first time he got clocked on the chin.
Can Nontshinga overcome any lingering doubts that may still be in his psyche? Feeling that how you respond to adversity is the true judge of character, he plans to show the world that what happened in their previous fight was an anomaly.
“I’ve learned from my mistakes. But I’m here to fix them again. I believe that falling down is part of life, but getting back up is living. So, once again, I’ll become the champion.”
