By Monwabisi Jimlongo
When legendary Welcome ‘Hawk’ Ncita speaks, one must listen, especially in relation to matters pertaining to winning a world title fight on foreign soil.
The former International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior-featherweight champion, who won the world the title in a fight against Frenchman Fabrice Benichou in Israel in March 1990, has travelled that route and he’s got a belt to show for his efforts.
Even though Ncita doesn’t have any doubts regarding world title hopeful Sivenathi ‘Special One’ Nontshinga’s chances in his fight against Mexican boxer Hector Flores, he’s concerned about the East London boxer’s inactivity going to such a crucial bout.
Nontshinga is going to trade blows with Flores in a vacant IBF junior-flyweight title contest in Hermosillo, Sorona, Mexico on Saturday, 3 September (4 September, SA time).
“Nontshinga is in a very serious level now. I wish him all the best in this fight,” the 56-year-old Ncita said.
“I’m however a little bit concerned because he hasn’t fought since last year. I wish he had had maybe two or three fights before going to this fight because that would have been great. Be that as it may, Nontshinga is a talented boxer and I trust him.”
The 23-year-old Nontshinga has not fought since his win over Filipino boxer Christian Araneta in an elimination bout in Gqeberha in April last year.
Flores, on the other hand, fought three times between June last year and April this year. The 29-year-old Mexican fought in June and November last year as well as four months ago.
This clash pits two unbeaten boxers as Nontshinga has won all his 10 fights with nine of those bouts ending in stoppages while Flores has 20 wins (10 knockouts) and four draws.
Meanwhile, Nontshinga together with his trainer Colin Nathan, his father Thembani Gopheni and Royal Talent Management’s Siya Zingelwa are going to fly out of South Africa for Mexico over the weekend.
