By Monwabisi Jimlongo
Boxing South Africa (BSA) has finally come good and delivered on the promise to pay unbeaten world champion Sivenathi ‘Special One’ Nontshinga R50 000 after he won the Male Boxer of the Year award at the South African Boxing Awards ceremony in Durban more than two months ago.
Acting BSA chief executive officer Erick Nsikayezwe Sithole had made the promise to the International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior-flyweight champion. Nontshinga beat reigning South African middleweight titlist John Bopape and Phumelela Cafu to the award.
“Yes, Sive received his money from BSA on Tuesday,” Nontshinga’s trainer Colin ‘Nomakanjani’ Nathan confirmed.
The 24-year-old Nontshinga from East London returns to action against Mexican opponent Adrian Curiel Dominguez in a voluntary defence in November.
Nontshinga, who successfully defended his title against Filipino boxer Regie ‘Filipino Phenom’ Suganob in East London two months ago, faces the Mexican in Monte Carlo, Monaco, on 4 November.
The 24-year-old Dominguez, who has a professional record of 22 wins (three stoppages), four defeats and a draw, is rated 11th in the current IBF ratings.
Nontshinga’s fight against Dominguez is going to be the co-main event together with Joe Cordina’s IBF junior-lightweight title defence against Edward Vasquez from the United States.
Meanwhile, South African female flyweight champion Simangele ‘Smash’ Hadebe has also received her R50 000 from BSA after she walked away with the Female Boxer of the Year at the South African Boxing Awards.
