Skilful Nontshinga Scores Knockdown, Wins Wide Decision To Retain Title Against Game Suganob

• Sivenathi Nontshinga vs Regie Suganob IBF Title Contest Headlined Fight Card In South Africa
• South Africa’s Nontshinga Knocked Down The Philippines Suganob In The Opening Round
• Nontshinga Retained Light Flyweight Title With Twelve Round Unanimous Decision

South Africa’s 24-year-old IBF Light Flyweight champion Sivenathi Nontshinga (12-0, 9KOs) retained his world title with a twelve-round decision win over the previously undefeated, Philippines’ 25-year-old Regie Suganob (13-1, 4 KOs).

The scores were unanimous in favour of the hometown favourite: 116-111, 116-111, 117-110.

Nontshina dropped the challenger in round one with a precise 1-2 to begin a masterful display in front of a raucous crowd.

Suganob recovered well from the knockdown and continued to apply front-foot pressure on Nontshinga, chasing him around the ring for twelve rounds, however, struggling to really pin him down and have much success.

The reigning world champion was able to use a phenomenal jab, head movement and footwork to keep out of the way of trouble for the majority of the contest.

The Filipino threw in combinations mostly all aimed at the same place with little variety in the direction of the shots and a real lack of body attacks to slow down the movement of the South African.

Suganob was simply outclassed by the ring iq and backfoot boxing display from Nontshinga which meant that he landed infrequently and when he did connect, the impact was insufficient to really put a dent in the ‘Special One’.

Nontshinga won the title with a split decision in Mexico last September and signed with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing, who streamed the fight on their YouTube page.

Suganob was the mandatory challenger for the title and Nontshinga was able to bring him to South Africa with a purse bid success, backed by Matchroom.

“I’d like to say I’m the special one”, Nontshinga said in his post-fight interview, “I’m hungry, still hungry even after this victory. The aim is to unify the division, the aim is to take over 108 pounds. They must know there is a new kid on the block.”

The South African will now aim to unify the division. Kenshiro Teraji holds the unified WBA/WBC titles whilst Jonathon Gonzalez carries the WBO. The pair were meant to meet in a 3-belt unification earlier this year until Gonzalez withdrew.

Teraji and Gonzalez are likely to reschedule their fight for later this year and Nontshinga could be in line for a four-belt undisputed fight with the winner.

Sivenathi Nontshinga vs Regie Suganob Undercard Results

Huge upset: George Kandulo (6-11-1) came from behind on the cards to score a devastating sixth-round knockout win over local favourite Nhlanhla Tyirha (8-2).

In their fourth encounter, Melissa Miller (8-12-3) won a ten-round split decision (97-93, 95-94 & 94-96) over Sharadene Fortuin (13-3-1). Fortuin beat Miller the first three times, all by decision.

Siyakholwa Kuse (5-2-1) scored a twelve-round unanimous decision (119-109 & 116-112 x2) win over Bangile Nyangani (13-2-1) in their highly-entertaining rematch to win the South African minimumweight title.

Asemahle Wellem (6-0) dominated Alex Kabangu (6-5-3) over ten rounds at super middleweight. Scores 100-90 x2 & 100-92.

Lightweight prospect Sinethemba Blom (2-1) stopped Romeo Makwakwa (7-14-1) in the second round after scoring three knockdowns in the card opener.

By Darshan Desai

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