The crowd at the East London International Convention Centre (ICC) went wild on Sunday evening after Sivenathi ‘Special One’ Nontshinga retained his International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior-flyweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Regie Suganob from the Philippines.
The 24-year-old Nontshinga from East London won the fight by 116-111 on two score cards with the third judge giving him the bout by 117-110.
The Filipino took the fight to Nontshinga, who fought from retreat, from the first round as he looked to break the hearts of local boxing followers. Just as he thought he had it all figured out, Suganob was decked by Nontshinga in the first round much to the delight of the fans.
It increasingly became clear that Suganob came to South Africa to claim the title as he continued to make sure that Nontshinga continuously fought from the retreat.
Nontshinga is now unbeaten in 12 bouts having stopped nine of his opponents while Suganob dropped to 13 wins and a loss.
