By Monwabisi Jimlongo
Going back to Mexico to reclaim the International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior-flyweight title is a mission which former world champion Sivenathi ‘Special One’ Nontshinga believes he will accomplish as he meets his conqueror Adrian Curiel Dominguez in a rematch on Friday (Saturday morning, South African time).
Nontshinga together with his trainer Colin ‘Nomakanjani’ Nathan, his father Thembani ‘Best’ Gopheni and cutman Bernie Pailman are settling in nicely in Oaxaca, southern Mexico. The 25-year-old Nontshinga clashes with Dominguez at the 11 175-seater Guelaguetza Auditorium, which is situated on a hillside above the city of Oaxaca.
And this is Nontshinga’s second visit to Mexico having been triumphant the first time he visited the Central American country as he beat Mexican boxer Hector Flores to win the IBF title early in September 2022.
“I’m here again and I want to promise everybody that I will become world champion. I love challenges, I love to overcome challenges. I don’t feel under pressure at all. It’s great to be here, I love the atmosphere. The last time I was here we gave the best inside that ring. I got the victory. I’m even more grateful for the opportunity because being here means a lot to me and also fighting for the same title. I’m confident enough that I will bring it back,” Nontshinga remarked.
Referring to his second round stoppage loss to Dominguez in Monaco last November, Nontshinga said: “There were tough times. I’m such a strong person, physically or even emotionally. I had to be there for myself more than anything else. Just surrounded myself with positive people. I remember Colin when I lost the fight, he told me that I should feel the pain, two days after that I must go back to my old self and believe and he will make sure that I become one of the great boxers.
“I have learnt a lot of stuff about me as a person in the boxing sport, about life. So it was such a difficult time for me, but also a learning curve. Now I know better. I believe that falling down is part of life.”
