The Guelaguetza Auditorium in Oaxaca, Mexico showcases the little men in it’s main event this Friday evening, as home hero Adrian Curiel immediately rematches South Africa’s Sivenathi Nontshinga in the first defence of his IBF light flyweight title.
Matchroom promote Curiel vs Nontshinga II, and DAZN broadcast live.
The two met in Monaco in November, and Curiel stunned Nontshinga in one of the knockouts of 2023, as he uncorked a single right hand that iced the former champion, wiping him out in the second round.
Curiel (24-4-1, 5 KOs) is not a noted puncher, and hadn’t indicated that he was capable of such a statement win previously, but he grabbed his chance with both hands. Nontshinga (12-1, 9 KOs) is no stranger in having to go to Mexico to gain a victory, having taken the vacant IBF crown in September 2022, taking a split decision after knocking Hector Flores Calixto down in the final round.
He defended back home last July, outscoring Regie Suganob, but then ran into a rampant Curiel. The winner has been lined up to face former IBF flyweight champion, Sunny Edwards, next.
𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐌. One of the KOs of 2023 last time out 😱
Adrian Curiel & Sivenathi Nontshinga rematch for the IBF world light-flyweight title 👑 #CurielNontshinga2 | 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲, Feb 16 | https://t.co/FoiaUucI53 pic.twitter.com/zUEdm4AlL3
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) February 12, 2024
Prediction: Nontshinga will have to be on his mettle early on in this one, and stay out of the way of another bazooka from Curiel landing. I think if the South African gets past four, he can take a points win, or stop Curiel late on.
Return of Bronco and local talent gets a chance to shine – undercard preview:
On the undercard, Mauricio Lara (26-3-1, 19 KOs) makes his first appearance of 2024, coming off the loss of his WBA featherweight title, and he takes on Daniel Lugo (27-2, 18 KOs) over a scheduled ten at super featherweight.
Lara lost his belt on the scales ahead of a rematch with Leigh Wood, and was then dropped and clearly outscored by the Nottingham man in Manchester. Lugo hasn’t fought anyone of note, and shouldn’t overly trouble Lara, who can win early.
(Photo Credit: Davey Thompson, Matchroom)
In other ten round action, Arturo Popoca (12-0-1, 8 KOs) should take the vacant WBC Continental Americas super bantamweight crown with a points win against Ernesto Garcia Flores (11-3, 10 KOs), and Sergio Chirino Sanchez (21-1, 12 KOs) can win inside the distance against Dennis Contreras (24-13-1, 22 KOs), also at super bantamweight.
Another ten rounder at the same weight should see Daniel Zaragoza Garcia (9-2, 7 KOs) outpoint Brayan Rivera (11-6, 9 KOs).
(Photo Credit: DAZN)
The sole eight rounder is at super middleweight, where Julio Porras Ruiz (9-0, 7 KOs) can bank a points win against Aaron Rocha Guerrero (10-2-1, 6 KOs).
There is one contest over six rounds, where Criztec Bazaldua (3-0, 1 KO) should win on the cards against Alejandro Castillo (1-0-1, 0 KOs)at super lightweight, and the only four rounder is at heavyweight, where Federico Pacheco Jr (5-0, 4 KOs) can win inside schedule against Jose Mario Tamez (4-2, 1 KO).
