Sivenathi Nontshinga

Sivenathi Nontshinga (born 3 December 1998) is a South African professional boxer who has held the IBF International light-flyweight title since 2019. Also a former African light-flyweight champion, he is ranked as the world's sixth-best active light-flyweight by BoxRec[1] and the seventh-best by the IBF.[2]

Sivenathi Nontshinga
Statistics
Nickname(s)Special One
Weight(s)light-flyweight
Height4 ft 11 in (1.50 m)
Reach67 in (170 cm)
NationalitySouth African
Born (1998-12-03) 3 December 1998
Newlands, Eastern Cape, South Africa
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights10
Wins10
Wins by KO9
Losses0

Early life

Nontshinga was raised in Newlands, a "chicken farm community" located at the entrance to Mdantsane township in Eastern Cape.[3] His father, Thembani Gopheni, is his trainer and his handler.[3]

Professional boxing career

Nontshinga made his professional debut on 30 July 2017 at the age of 18, defeating Sandile Wessels in a third-round finish in East London. After four stoppages in his first four fights, he was soon recognized as a promising teen sensation in South Africa.[3] In only his fifth pro fight, he defeated Tisetso Modisadife for the vacant African light-flyweight title.[4]

On 7 April 2019, he scored a first-round knockout over Adam Yahaya to win the vacant IBF International light-flyweight title in Port Elizabeth.[5][6] In his first title defense, Nontshinga defeated compatriot Siyabonga Siyo, a fighter he idolised growing up.[4] He finished Siyo with a barrage of blows in the ninth round to make it eighth stoppage wins in eighth fights.[7] He retained his belt again on 8 March 2020 by defeating Ivan Soriano, ranked number 5 by the IBF, at the Orient Theatre in East London.[8] Nontshinga suffered a swollen left eye early, but after knocking him down at the end of the fourth round, he dropped the veteran for good in the fifth with a right cross.[9][10]

After more than a year without a fight due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Nontshinga defeated Filipino prospect Christian Araneta in an IBF title eliminator in Port Elizabeth on 24 April 2021. Although he was knocked down in the 12th round, he was favored unanimously on the judges' scorecards (115–112, 114–113, 114–113).[11]

Professional boxing record
Professional record summary
10 fights 10 wins 0 losses
By knockout 9 0
By decision 1 0
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
10 Win 10–0 Christian Araneta UD 12 24 Apr 2021 Boardwalk Casino, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
9 Win 9–0 Ivan Soriano KO 5 (12) 8 Mar 2020 Orient Theatre, East London, South Africa Retained IBF International light-flyweight title
8 Win 8–0 Siyabonga Siyo TKO 9 (12), 1:48 28 Jul 2019 Orient Theatre, East London, South Africa Retained IBF International light-flyweight title
7 Win 7–0 Adam Yahaya KO 1 (12), 1:27 7 Apr 2019 Nangoza Jebe Hall, Port Elizabeth, South Africa Won vacant IBF International light-flyweight title
6 Win 6–0 Muhsin Kizota TKO 7 (8) 9 Dec 2018 Orient Theatre, East London, South Africa
5 Win 5–0 Tisetso Modisadife TKO 9 (12), 2:51 21 Oct 2018 Orient Theatre, East London, South Africa Won vacant African light-flyweight title
4 Win 4–0 Nwabisile Cholani TKO 5 (6) 29 Jul 2018 Orient Theatre, East London, South Africa
3 Win 3–0 Lusizo Manzana KO 3 (4) 8 Apr 2018 Orient Theatre, East London, South Africa
2 Win 2–0 Sive Jongwana TKO 2 (4) 10 Dec 2017 Orient Theatre, East London, South Africa
1 Win 1–0 Sandile Wessels TKO 3 (6) 30 Jul 2017 Orient Theatre, East London, South Africa

References
  1. "BoxRec: Light flyweight ratings". boxrec.com. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  2. "IBF Ratings". www.ibf-usba-boxing.com. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  3. Zifo, Mesuli (August 17, 2018). "Teen sensation to put his gloves to great use in the square ring". Daily Dispatch. PressReader. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  4. Magasela, Bongani (March 6, 2020). "Young Sivenathi Nontshinga and others to erupt". The Sowetan. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  5. Jackson, Ron (April 7, 2019). "Fuzile wins in style over Koasicha". SuperSport. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  6. Malan, Droeks (April 7, 2019). "AZINGA FUZILE DAZZLES AGAINST ROMULO KOASICHA, LOOKS TOWARD TITLE SHOT". ringtv.com. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  7. Magasela, Bongani (July 30, 2019). "Siyo no match for Nontshinga". The Sowetan. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  8. Zifo, Mesuli (April 8, 2020). "Nontshinga not rushing for world title shot". Daily Dispatch. PressReader. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  9. "Nontshinga scores spectacular knockout". Daily Dispatch. March 8, 2020. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  10. Malan, Droeks (8 March 2020). "YANGA SIGQIBO KOS CRIS PAULINO IN 7, SIVENATHI NONTSHINGA REMAINS UNBEATEN". ringtv.com. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  11. Malan, Droeks (24 April 2021). "Sivenathi Nontshinga survives last round scare, outboxes Christian Araneta to win IBF eliminator". ringtv.com. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
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