Sivenathi Nontshinga is indeed the ‘Special One’ as he defeated Mexican boxer Hector Flores by a split decision to win the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior-flyweight title in Hermosillo, Sorona, Mexico on Sunday morning (South African time).
After a gruelling 12 rounds, two judges Pasquale Prrropicio (116-111) and Deon Dwarte (114-113) gave it to Nontshinga while Fabricio Lopez had Flores winning by 115-112.
A jab, which he sometimes forgot to use during the clash, worked well for the unbeaten Nontshinga, who came up against a brawler. The second round decking of Flores also made a difference.
Nontshinga was fighting for the first time since he defeated Christian Araneta in an elimination bout in Gqeberha in April last year while it was the 29-year-old Flores’ fourth fight since last June.
Meanwhile, the triumphant 23-year-old Nontshinga, who became the first boxer to defeat Flores, is going to return to South Africa on Tuesday.
