Sivenathi Nontshinga has signed a promotional deal with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom.
Nontshinga (11-0 9 KOs) clinched the IBF light flyweight title in an epic matchup of fight of the year contenders with Hector Flores in Hermosillo, Mexico on Saturday night, besting the Mexican in a mountain battle. Russian waged at a relentless pace.
The South African dropped Flores in the second round with a right hand, but the Mexican responded with a brilliant body attack in the fourth round.
A clash of heads in the fifth round caused a cut in the middle of Flores’ head, but failed to stop the ferocious pace imposed by the Mexican and answered by the ‘Special’ in a relentless first half of the fight.
The pace did not slow in the second half and a standing ovation for a sensational fight followed the final bell, and it was Nontshinga who put the belt around his waist by split decision, 116-111, 112-115, 114-113 .
The 23-year-old got down to business with Hearn and now turns his attention to a bright future with the prospect from light flyweight to super flyweight as exciting as ever.
“I am very happy to sign with the number one Promoter in the world,” said Nontshinga.
“I am enjoying this moment of victory not only for myself but also for my country, as I am the only legitimate world champion. I would love to defend my world title in South Africa as a homecoming.”
Nontshinga’s victory was largely due to the effort he put into the championship rounds, and followed inspirational talks from trainer and manager Colin Nathan, who told his charge to “change his life” and grab the title with both hands.
“I’m over the moon,” Nathan said. “Seven years ago, Sive approached me as a 15-year-old fan who wanted to join me.
“I have been involved in Sive’s career for the last four years in directing and management. I started training him in January this year after his father, who was training him, asked me to take over his career completely.
“My ‘speech’ after the ninth round went viral around the world: ‘We’re late, you have nine minutes to change your life’, I meant it.
“Those nine minutes changed the trajectory of his life and history was made for South African boxing.”
“I am delighted to welcome Nontshinga to the team,” said Hearn. “His performance from him on Saturday night in hostile territory was outstanding, and there is much more to come from this talented young man.
“He has a great trainer and manager in Colin who has his back all the time, and with a big piece of the pie in Light-Fly, there are some huge fights to be made at 108 pounds and up.”
