IBF champion Sivenathi Nontshinga set to return against heavy-handed Masamichi Yabuki

South Africa’s “Special One” Nontshinga is ready to pack his bags and travel again, in order to defend his IBF light-flyweight title.

Nontshinga, 13-1 (10 KOs), is coming off two fights against Adrian Curiel, the first a shocking two-round loss in Monte Carlo before a revenge 10th round stoppage in Mexico in February.

Now Nontshinga will head to Japan to defend the title he lost to and regained from Curiel, against the IBF’s No. 2, 32-year-old Japanese puncher Masamichi Yabuki, 16-4 (15 KOs) on October 12 in Nagoya and he upset  Kenshiro Teraji in September 2021, stopping Teraji in the 10th round to claim the WBC junior flyweight title.

Yabuki last fought in April, stopping Nicaraguan Kevin Vivas in four rounds in Nagoya, where he lives. 

“I’m looking forward to this contest,” said Nontshinga’s trainer and manager Colin Nathan. “Sive will be retaining his title in spectacular fashion.”

Twenty-five-year-old Nontshinga lives in the Eastern Cape and is promoted by Matchroom Boxing and they have put the contest together with Lush Midori Gym in association with Teiken Promotions and Nathan’s No Doubt Management company.

"I said that I had no problem for us travelling and doing this contest in Japan, as Sive has proved that he can go into the opponent's backyard, perform, and win,” said Nathan. “From a business perspective, Sive is getting paid handsomely, and I have a responsibility to get him the best possible deals in his career."