By Monwabisi Jimlongo
The fickle nature of boxing followers has resulted in Colin ‘Nomakanjani’ Nathan fully understanding that fight fans are a different species and are very difficult to please.
Nathan said this in the midst of boxing followers arguing that Sivenathi ‘Special One’ Nontshinga’s rematch against his conqueror and reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior-flyweight champion Adrian Curiel Dominguez came too soon.
Nontshinga is going to travel to Mexico with a view of reclaiming the world title when he challenges Dominguez on Friday, 16 February (Saturday, 17 February, South African time).
Some boxing followers criticised Nathan after Nontshinga was stopped in the second round by Dominguez in November last year saying that they should have had a rematch clause in their contract before fighting against the Mexican.
And the same boxing followers were in Nathan’s case after he announced that the 25-year-old Nontshinga was getting a rematch against Dominguez.
“We got to know about the fight way before we announced it. You are never gonna win against the boxing public. Some people will be happy while some will be unhappy. My job is about making champions and changing the boxers’ lives,” Nathan remarked.
Nathan added: “At the end of the day, after the fight, Sive asked me if it was possible to get a rematch. We got a rematch. We got what the boxer wanted. Managers and trainers wait for the boxer because the boxer is the boss.”
Responding to fight fans’ claim that the rematch came too soon, Cape Town-born Nathan said: “It can’t be too soon. I have a job to do. I’ve got to work for my athletes. I have to do what’s best for my fighters. I’m here to make champions, not gain public sympathy. I want to urge the South African public to support us. Please support Sive.”
