September 3, 2022; Hermosillo, Sonora, MX; Héctor Flores and Sivenathi Nontshinga during their fight on September 3, 2022 at the Centro de Usos Múltiples in Hermosillo, Mexico. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom.
Unheralded South African Sivenathi Nontshinga traveled several thousand miles around the world to take on Hector Flores for the vacant IBF junior flyweight title in Hermosillo, Mexico on Friday.
It turned out to be a successful ride for the Cape Town-born boxer, who fought the fight of his life, dropping Flores in the second round and coming home by a close but well-deserved 12-round split decision.
Nontshinga, who moved up two places with the win and is now ranked No. 5 by The Ring at 108 pounds, is proud of his effort against his previously undefeated foe.
“I feel good,” Nontshinga (11-0, 9 KOs) told The Ring on his way back to South Africa. “It means a lot to me because it’s a dream come true. It has always been my dream to become world champion.
“The fight was tough but I was ready. He was fit, mentally, physically and spiritually. I knew going into the ring, I would get that strap. Héctor Flores, he is strong but the night only belonged to me”.
His trainer, Colin Nathan, expertly guided his fighter throughout the fight.
????️ Call at the end of the tenth… #FloresNontshinga #EstradaCortes pic.twitter.com/3VBtAQ8KmW
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) September 4, 2022
“It was a war of attrition and it really had to dig deep,” he said. “There’s some viral stuff from me at the end of the ninth round when I said to Sivenathi, ‘We’re behind and you have nine minutes to change your life.’ And that has become a big thing in South African boxing, everyone is talking about that speech I gave him.
“I felt like he needed to win those last few rounds, particularly the championship rounds to make the decision and he did. I’m so proud of him and it was a great moment in the corner when he responded.”
Nontshinga’s coach wouldn’t let him lose by split decision in Mexico!! He pushed his fighter across the finish line. Great corner job! #FlowersNontsinga
– Sergio Mora (@TheLatinSnake_) September 4, 2022
Nathan is no stranger to winning on the road, having scored some very impressive wins abroad with the likes of former two-division champion Hekkie Budler, also in Mexico against Elwin Soto and previously in Japan, notably winning The Ring, IBF and WBA 108 lbs. titles against Ryoichi Taguchi and two-time flyweight champion Moruti Mthalane, who had a handful of wins in Asia.
“I like to go into hostile territory and get booed and cause an upset,” Nathan said. “When the pressures are on me and the odds are against me, I usually produce with my athletes. I really like being in that environment. I love going to Mexico and winning.
“Regardless of whether I am at home or away, I work very hard to get the victory, like in Japan and other countries where I have achieved some good victories. I just go in with the mindset, this is what we have to do, even if we get booed, the fans can’t fight for the other athlete and we just have to focus on what we need to do.”
The uphill battle was held quietly, though that may change when I get home.
“I just took a lot of photos and then I went straight to bed,” said the new champion. “It will change my life in a positive way. Now I am a world champion and I can handle myself because I have gained experience.”
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