Masamichi Yabuki’s impressive record of 16 wins with 15 stoppages and four losses does not scare world champion Sivenathi ‘Special One’ Nontshinga as the day of their fight draws closer.
Nontshinga has gone to what could be called the lion’s den to defend his International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior-flyweight crown against Japanese boxer Yabuki at the Aichi Sky Expo Convention Centre in Tokoname, Nagoya, Japan, this coming Saturday.
Nagoya is where the 32-year-old former World Boxing Council (WBC) junior-flyweight champion titlist, who was born in Suzuka, is based.
“I’m not concerned at all. We worked very hard in camp for three months as we were preparing for this fight. That record belongs to him and has nothing to do with me,” Nontshinga remarked.
“I also have my own record, which is almost 75 percent. He has losses and I also have one loss. If one wants to be the best, then he must get into the ring and fight against the best. One thing I know is that I will come out victorious on the night.”
Yabuki’s last five fights ended early with him winning four and losing once in a rematch against erstwhile WBC junior-flyweight champion Kenshiro Teraji in March 2022.
Meanwhile, the 25-year-old Nontshinga will be making the first defence of the title he reclaimed when he stopped Mexican boxer Adrian Curiel Dominguez in the 10th round in Oaxaca, Mexico, almost eight months ago. – Monwabisi Jimlongo
