Unification Possible at Junior Flyweight With Nontshinga-Gonzalez in the Works

After his brilliant redemption victory over Adrian Curiel in Mexico in February, South Africa’s IBF junior flyweight champion Sivenathi Nontshinga could find himself in a unification fight.

Nontshinga’s IBF mandatory challenger is Filipino contender Christian Araneta, but sources have told BoxingScene that a unification fight with WBO champion Jonathan “Bomba”  Gonzalez is being explored for June 15 in Puerto Rico.

Nontshinga has won 13 bouts and lost just once, the shocking second-round knockout defeat to Curiel in Monte Carlo at the end of 2023. When he stopped Curiel in the 10th of their hard-fought return battle, he put himself in the shop window. 

In fact, he unwittingly sparked a social media battle to face him on X, with former IBF flyweight champion Sunny Edwards indicating his interest in meeting the South African, only for future Hall of Famer Nonito Donaire to intervene and champion the cause of his countryman Araneta.   

Nontshinga, promoted by Matchroom, is called “The Special One”. Thirty-two-year-old southpaw Gonzalez, who was born in the Bronx, New York but lives in Puerto Rico, is 28-3-1 (14 KOs) and the 32-year-old (who turns 33 later this month) made the third defense of his title with a decision over Rene Santiago in San Juan last month. 

It was on the bill featuring Jake Paul and that had been due to stage Amanda Serrano’s homecoming. Serrano and Jordan Maldonado manage Gonzalez, who is promoted by Felix Zabala at All Star Boxing.