We Are Confident’: Nontshinga Backed to Beat Suganob Again in High-Stakes Rematch
South African boxing star Sivenathi “The Special One” Nontshinga is set for another major test this weekend when he faces Regie “The Filipino Phenom” Suganob in a final IBF junior-flyweight world title eliminator in the Philippines.
The highly anticipated rematch takes place this Saturday, 12 September, at the Bohol Wisdom School Gymnasium in Tagbilaran City, where Nontshinga will compete in Suganob’s home country for the first time.
The 12-round bout headlines the Kumong Bol-anon XXVI card, with the winner securing the No. 1 position in the IBF 108lb rankings and a chance to challenge reigning IBF junior-flyweight world champion Thanongsak Simsri of Thailand.
Nontshinga already has a win over Suganob, having defeated the Filipino on points during his first IBF junior-flyweight world title defence in KuGompo City on 2 July 2023.
Suganob is currently ranked No. 3, one place above Nontshinga, making Saturday’s contest particularly significant for both fighters.
The South African, together with his No Doubt Management trainer-cum-manager Colin Nathan and trainer and cutman Bernie Pailman, travelled to the Philippines on Saturday morning ahead of the fight.
Nathan remains confident that Nontshinga can once again get the better of Suganob, despite the challenge of fighting away from home.
“I am confident that we will win again. Obviously, the environment is different because we are going into his territory, but Sive is in great shape mentally and physically,” Nathan told SizaNazo365.
The fight comes shortly after the passing of South African boxing legend Zolani Tete, an emotional loss for those within the sport. Nathan believes Nontshinga could draw additional motivation from the moment.
“Last week, with Zolani’s passing, it obviously got all of us emotional, but Sive will probably use that as motivation and dedicate the fight to Zolani. We are good and ready to go, and we are confident that we are going to win in the Philippines,” he said.
Nathan also expects a different fight from their 2023 meeting, with both boxers having developed considerably since then.
“I think both fighters have improved since the last fight. We have had hard fights, and since then we also became two-time world champions in the process,” he said.
“So I think Regie has improved, Sive has improved, and both guys know what is on the line. It is a very important fight for both fighters.”
With the IBF No. 1 ranking and a potential world title opportunity against Simsri at stake, Nontshinga and Suganob have plenty more to fight for than simply settling an old score.
Nontshinga (left) Backed to Beat Suganob (right) Again in High-Stakes Rematch (Graphic: SizaNazo365 Images: PMI Bohol Promotions/Facebook)