South African star Sivenathi Nontshinga sensationally avenged a devastating loss to Adrian Curiel and regained his IBF light flyweight championship by scoring a 10th-round stoppage in Oaxaca, Mexico on Friday. The official time was 0:44.
WATCH: Adrian Curiel vs. Sivenathi Nontshinga 2, live on DAZN
Nontshinga (13-1, 10 KOs) hurt Curiel with a crushing combination late in the ninth and the Mexican fighter never fully recovered. A relentless follow-up assault in round 10 forced the referee to issue a strange standing count before another blistering attack forced the stoppage.
"You know I'm 'The Special One'," said a jubilant Nontshinga during his post-fight interview. "When I lost the title I cried so much and I wanted revenge. I got it today. I had to come as sharp as ever. I worked so hard for this moment.
"[Curiel] is a good boxer, but I've fought with much better boxers than him. I knew [the first fight] was a slight mistake and that I had to work to come out victorious tonight."
In November, Nontshinga was knocked out cold in the second round by a single overhand right from Curiel. It was a heartbreaking and humiliating setback and the new champion deserves maximum praise for this turnaround.
Unlike the first fight, Nontshinga came out to meet Curiel at ring center in the sequel. This appeared to be a clever tactical switch because Curiel couldn't get the same momentum he enjoyed in fight one. The challenger's hands were high and he more than matched the Mexican fighter up close.
However, the champ found his rhythm in the second, whipping in terrific left hooks to the body and bloodying Nontshinga's nose. The South African star landed good shots of his own, but he was the one sustaining damage and it was very early.
The action took place exclusively in the pocket during the first half and despite coming off second best in most of the exchanges, Nontshinga refused to switch strategy. His punches bounced off Curiel, who advanced with abandon and tore into the body from bell to bell.
WATCH: Adrian Curiel vs. Sivenathi Nontshinga 2, live on DAZN
Nontshinga was able to land some nice snappy shots in the sixth, but his back was constantly on the ropes. While Curiel wasn't as accurate, his shots were harder and more eye-catching for the judges, so the prospect of Nontshinga winning a decision looked far-fetched at best.
To compound his problems, Nontshinga was deducted a point for an accidental headbutt in round seven. The challenger had been warned earlier in the bout, but the penalty still looked harsh.
The flow of the fight changed completely in round eight when Nontshinga purposefully created distance and landed a beautiful combination that was punctuated by a big right. For the first time in the bout, the champ was hurt and he was nailed again by a counter right and a left hook.
Suddenly, Curiel looked like he was feeling sorry for himself. In the ninth, he complained about his opponent's head before being nailed by a massive right-hand-left-hook combination. The Mexican fans suddenly stopped cheering as their fighter looked to be in dire trouble.
The ending was straight out of Hollywood and reaffirmed Nontshinga as the elite-level boxer-puncher many of us believed him to be. Hopefully, the 25-year-old from the Eastern Cape can now secure the unification fights he deserves.
Curiel, 25, drops to 24-5-1 (5 KOs)
Adrian Curiel vs. Sivenathi Nontshinga 2 fight card
- Sivenathi Nontshinga def. Adrian Curiel (c) via TKO 10 (0:44) for the IBF light flyweight title
- Mauricio Lara majority draw Daniel Lugo (94-96, 95-95, 95-95); Super Featherweights
- Arturo Cardenas def. Ernesto Garcia via UD 10 (100-88, 98-91, 98-91); Super Bantamweights
- Sergio Chirino Sanchez def. Dennis Contreras via TKO 2 (1:44); Super Bantamweights
- Criztec Bazaldua def. Alejandro Castillo via UD 6 (60-53, 60-53, 60-53); Super Lightweights
- Federico Pacheco Jr. def. Jose Mario Tamez via UD 4; Heavyweights
