Vengeance is sweet !
In Oaxaca, Mexico, early Sunday morning (UK time) South Africa’s box-puncher Sivenathi Nontshinga defeated Mexico’s Adrian Curiel to regain his IBF light-flyweight (108lbs/7st, 10lbs) title. The classy Nontshinga (13-1, 10 KOs) from Reeston in the Eastern Cape lived up to his “Special One” nickname scoring a spectacular technical knockout at 44 seconds of round ten.
His win was notable and, some achievement, after his stunning defeat to the same opponent in Monaco last November, in what was arguably the knockout and a shock of 2023 world boxing.
Big things were expected of the South African before that defeat and Curiel was confident his win would be more emphatic in the rematch.
Both fighters, aged 25, had their moments in a highly competitive contest. Nontshinga boxed smartly from the opening round and opted for a ‘rope a dope’ tactic, conceding the ring centre and countering mainly off the ropes. Through the completed rounds it looked as though the home fighter was surging ahead and the South African would need to do more to wrestle the title from him.
In the seventh the challenger was deducted a point for head use as he tucked up and absorbed the Mexican blows, advancing forward with a low head and countering the champion. This was a clear 10-8 round to Curiel.
The strong champion from Mexico City, with a canopy full of his compatriots, tried his hardest to overwhelm the challenger, but couldn’t quite find the formula throughout.
The eighth was the best round of the fight as they exchanged blows standing toe-to-toe, almost as if in a phone booth (ala Jeff Fenech-Azumah Nelson I). Curiel took the round as the more come-forward fighter. The challenger continued to lose the initiative in the ninth but then had a big finish to the round landing a double left hook which visibly wobbled the Mexican.
Into the tenth, the ex-champion got caught with a big right hand mid-round and the challenger let his hands go and overwhelmed the home fighter. Referee Mark Calo-oy had no option but to wave the contest over to Curiel from further punishment.
The event promoted by Matchroom and shown live on the DAZN streaming channel showcased the lighter weights and quality fighters involved. Big things possibly await the slick and charismatic Nontshinga with a fight against British flyweight Sunny Edwards being mooted in the 4lb heavier division.
Curiel now drops to 24-5-1 (5 KOs).
Japanese stylist Kenshiro Teraji (23-1, 14 KOs) is recognised by The Ring magazine as the current king of the 108 lbs division. If the impressive Nontshinga chooses to stay in the lighter division, or step up, he will continue to be an interesting watch. Don’t though rule out a third ‘rubber match’ with Curiel. The South African’s stock is now fully restored and rising.
The Undisputed 