Sivenathi Nontshinga regained the IBF light flyweight title in dramatic fashion, as he stopped Adrian Curiel in the tenth round in their meeting in Oaxaca, Mexico, when well behind on the scorecards.
This was an immediate rematch of their November 2023 meeting, where Curiel (24-5-1, 5 KOs) ruthlessly ripped the title from Nontshinga (13-1, 10 KOs) with a stunning second round knockout win in Monaco.
Nontshinga decided to change tack for the sequel, as he met Curiel centre ring from the off, but the champion soon found his groove, and worked well to the body in round two, and bloodied the visitor’s nose.
Curiel unloaded in the third as he backed up the ‘Special One’ to the ropes, and he was getting the better of the breathless action.
It was phone-booth type stuff, but the Mexican was the one landing the more meaningful punches, and although Nontshinga was able to land some decent shots in the sixth, Curiel’s blows had more volume on them, and by halfway it was looking an uphill task for the former champion to regain his belt.
That cause wasn’t helped in the seventh, when the 25-year-old was docked a point for use of the head, but he rallied, and reaped the rewards when he hurt the champion with a combination in the eighth.
The tide was turning, and by the ninth, the home favourite was in deep trouble, with only the bell saving him after Nontshinga landed a stunning left hook that left him shaken.
The minute break wasn’t enough to save him as Nontshinga poured the pressure on, and a sustained attack forced a count from the official in the tenth.
By this point exhausted, Curiel was driven to the ropes, where a two-fisted attack from the South African saw the referee step in to end a thriller.
𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 👑 Sivenathi Nontshinga reigns supreme as the IBF World Light Flyweight Champion! 🥊🏅
#CurielNontshinga2 pic.twitter.com/xlecc6J6Hp
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) February 17, 2024
Nontshinga was four points down on one card, and two behind on another at the time of the stoppage.
The now-two-time world champion was called out by former IBF flyweight world champion, Sunny Edwards in the aftermath.
Lara held to draw against Lugo
On the undercard, much was expected of Mauricio Lara, but the Mexican banger, known for stunning stoppage wins in England against Josh Warrington and Leigh Wood, the latter winning him the WBA featherweight title, escaped with a majority draw against Daniel Lugo.
Lara (26-3-2, 19 KOs) was moving up in weight having lost his belt on the scales, and the rematch on the cards to Wood in May last year, and ‘Bronco’ looked lacklustre in this one over ten rounds, and made a slow start, with Lugo (27-2-1, 18 KOs) hurting him to the body in the sixth.
The former world champion did rally in the later rounds, but looked fortunate to avoid defeat as two scorecards at 95-95 ruled a third at 96-95 in Lugo’s favour.
Remaining Undercard
Arturo Cardenas (13-0-1, 8 KOs) scored a knockdown on route to claiming the WBC Continental Americas super bantamweight title, as he took a points win against Ernesto Garcia Flores (11-4, 10 KOs).
Sergio Chirino Sanchez (22-1, 13 KOs) dropped Dennis Contreras (24-14-1, 22 KOs) in the opening round of his super bantamweight eight rounder, before forcing a third round win via a wicked left hand to the body.
BODY SHOT ENDS IT IN THE THIRD 🧨🧨#ChirinoContreras | @DAZNBoxing| #CurielNontshinga2 pic.twitter.com/LrCTVB4MfD
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) February 17, 2024
At super lightweight, Criztec Bazaldua went six rounds for the first time, and won them all against Alejandro Castillo.
Bazaldua (4-0, 1 KO) was dominant, and Castillo (1-1-1) was dropped within the first minute, but gallantly made the final bell.
Heavyweight prospect, Federico Pacheco Jr (6-0, 4 KOs) had a good run-out, and won all four rounds against Jose Mario Tamez (4-3, 1 KO).
