By Monwabisi Jimlongo
South Africa’s only champion from the world’s credible boxing bodies, Sivenathi ‘Special One’ Nontshinga touched down in the country on Tuesday after winning the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior-flyweight title in Mexico on Sunday morning (South African time).
Nontshinga defeated Mexican boxer Hector Flores by a split decision at the Centro de Usos Multiples in Hermosillo, Sorona, Mexico.
By defeating the 29-year-old Flores, Nontshinga became the first boxer to blemish the Mexican’s then unbeaten record.
“It wasn’t easy at all. I had to dig deep. I’m so thankful. I feel so blessed. This is all new to me. You know when you are growing up you do something without knowing that it will take you somewhere one day,” the champion said.
“We have to be patient. Each person’s time will come. Stay true to yourself. If you focus on the goal, look at the bigger picture, everything is possible.”
Having won the IBF title, the 23-year-old Nontshinga is looking at achieving more inside the ring.
“I promise there’s still a long way to go. There are many possibilities. We will unify the division,” Nontshinga, who has won all his 11 fights with nine of those ending in stoppages, remarked.
Meanwhile, Nontshinga’s trainer Colin ‘Nomakanjani’ Nathan also admitted that that was not an easy fight.
“Sive had to dig exceptionally deep. There was a moment in the fourth round he was showing signs of mentally collapsing,” Nathan said.
“We had prepared him to go to a dark place. Sometimes a fighter has to go to a dark place in a fight. That’s the difference to winning and losing. He went to a dark place and ended up swimming towards the finish line. He turned his life around. Boxing changes lives. His life is gonna change forever.”
