Experienced American boxing referee Mark Nelson is going to be the third man in the ring when the bell rings to signal the start of the world title fight between South African boxer Sivenathi ‘Special One’ Nontshinga and Regie ‘Filipino Phenom’ Suganob on Sunday afternoon.
Nontshinga will be making the maiden defence of his International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior-flyweight title when he squares up against the Pinoy boxer at the East London International Convention Centre (ICC).
Nelson, who started as a ring official in 1992, has officiated in more than 100 title fights. He is sometimes remembered for taking a right hook on the chin from American Hugo Centeno Junior while breaking a clinch during a fight against Maciej Sulecki from Poland in June 2016.
The 58-year-old Minnesota-born Nelson is going to be assisted by ringside judges – Gil Co from the Philippines, South African Deon Dwarte and American Lisa Giampa while IBF president Daryl Peoples will supervise the fight.
Meanwhile, Nontshinga and Suganob are going to meet for the first time when they have a public workout and a pre-fight medical check-up at the Mdantsane Mall 14h00 on Thursday.
