By Monwabisi Jimlongo
Sivenathi ‘Special One’ Nontshinga’s trainer and father Thembani Gopheni always knew that his son’s opponent Christian ‘The Bomb’ Araneta would come to South Africa despite a coronavirus scare.
Gopheni is relieved now that Araneta, his trainer Julius Erving Junco and Omega Sports Promotions vice-president Jerome Calatrava arrived in Gqeberha on Sunday morning. Nontshinga and Araneta are going to square up in an International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior-flyweight elimination bout at the Boardwalk Hotel and Casino in Gqeberha on Saturday, 24 April.
“We are happy and relieved now that Araneta has arrived. Sive is also happy about the arrival of his opponent. He was a little bit worried when there were rumours that the coronavirus might mess us up. The fight is on and there is no turning back now,” Gopheni said.
The winner between Nontshinga and Araneta is going to get a crack at IBF junior-flyweight champion Felix Alvarado from Nicaragua.
Nontshinga and Araneta are going to come face-to-face for the first time during a media briefing on Monday, 19 April.
