By Monwabisi Jimlongo
Unbeaten world champion Sivenathi ‘Special One’ Nontshinga can’t wait to make the first defence of his title in front of his home crowd in East London early next month.
Nontshinga is scheduled to defend his International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior-flyweight crown against Regie Suganob from the Philippines at the East London International Convention Centre (ICC) on Sunday, July 2.
“I’m feeling great. I’m fit physically, mentally and spiritually. It’s always been my dream to defend in my home town where everything started,” Nontshinga remarked.
The 24-year-old Nontshinga has insisted that his fight preparations have gone well, especially after sparring against former world champions Hekkie Budler and DeeJay Kriel as well as Sikho Nqothole.
“The preparations went well. I’m fit, I’m sharp. I have been pushing myself so hard. We have been pushing one another with my sparring partners Hekkie Budler, DeeJay Kriel and Sikho Nqothole. I did like 200 rounds of sparring. I’m looking forward to next weekend. I promise when I get inside that ring I will break that boy’s bones,” Nontshinga said.
Nontshinga, who has stopped nine of his 11 victims, has revealed that finishing the fight early is not part of his plans. But he won’t mind should an opportunity to finish early avail itself.
“That’s not the plan. But if an opportunity of knocking him comes I’m taking him out. We have our own game plan. Come fight day I will execute the plan well,” he said.
Meanwhile, Nontshinga’s trainer Colin ‘Nomakanjani’ Nathan has concurred with his boxer in as far as their readiness for the Suganob duel is concerned.
“Sive is looking the part and we are raring to go. I’m just very excited about this fight. First credible world title in South Africa since 2016. It’s happening in the Mecca of boxing, the place where boxing is culturally a religion. I think it’s gonna be a spectacular event. I think it’s gonna be electric, one to remember for South African boxing,” Nathan said.
Nathan added: “I know our opponent is quite a thinker, very calculative. He’s good, but I’ve got a better fighter. I just think we’ve got a better fight plan. All I want is a win. Any way the win comes, I will take it. The only thing that’s on my mind now is to win. I’m working towards a win.”
