Asanda Empires backs South Africa’s proud two-time IBF World Champion on his quest to become a historic three-time world champion.
South African boxing sensation and two-time IBF Light-Flyweight World Champion Sivenathi “Special One” Nontshinga (27) is preparing for another defining chapter in his remarkable career as he heads to the Philippines in August for a crucial IBF world title eliminator against Filipino rival Regie Suganob.
Breaking the record as the youngest world champion in South African boxing history, Nontshinga is already one of the most accomplished boxers South Africa has produced in recent years. Now, he stands on the brink of making history by becoming the first South African boxer to win the IBF Light-Flyweight World Championship three times.
The journey to this point has been anything but easy.
Born and raised in Newlands near Mdantsane in the Eastern Cape, Nontshinga rose from humble beginnings. Through discipline, sacrifice, and unwavering determination, he transformed himself from a young boxer with a dream into a world champion carrying the South African flag on boxing’s biggest stages.
His achievements have earned recognition at the highest level. Following his world title successes, Nontshinga was welcomed by President Cyril Ramaphosa, a moment that reflected not only his sporting achievements but also his role as a source of national pride and inspiration for young South Africans.
Under the guidance of his trainer and boxing manager, Colin “Nomakanjani” Nathan, today, Nontshinga enters a new era as the first professional athlete signed to Asanda Empires’ newly launched Athlete Brand Management Division, a partnership aimed at building his legacy both inside and outside the ring.
The upcoming clash against Suganob adds another fascinating chapter to an already compelling rivalry.
Nontshinga first defeated Suganob in South Africa when he defended his IBF International title in East London in 2021. Despite the setback, Suganob worked his way back into world title contention and has long sought another opportunity against the South African champion.
Now, after years of campaigning for another shot, the Filipino contender finally gets his wish, this time in front of his home crowd.
But Nontshinga remains adamant that the outcome will be exactly the same. The South African star is confident he will defeat Suganob for a second time and move one step closer to his ultimate goal of reclaiming the world title for a historic third reign.
“I’m in quest for third historic world title. The fight is taking place in his backyard, but since I’m known as a road warrior, Mojo, I don’t have a problem facing him there, at home,” said Nontshinga.
The confidence comes from experience. Throughout his career, Nontshinga has repeatedly travelled into hostile territory and emerged victorious against the odds.
“I went to Mexico, beat Hector Flores to claim the IBF strap, and became the youngest world champion. I went again for the 2nd time to beat Adrien Curiel in Mexico and became the 1st local boxer to lose a world title and claim it in an immediate rematch. So, actually, it relishes fighting in such an environment, and I have the tools to get the victory,” he added.
His victories in Mexico cemented his reputation as one of boxing’s true road warriors, a fighter willing to travel anywhere in the world to achieve greatness.
Among his many accomplishments, Nontshinga has:
Become a two-time IBF Light-Flyweight World Champion.
Won major world-title fights on foreign soil.
Become one of South Africa’s youngest world boxing champions.
Captured and defended the IBF International Light-Flyweight Championship.
Won the African Light-Flyweight Championship.
Received Boxing South Africa’s Boxer of the Year award.
In 2024, received the Minister’s Excellence award at the South African Sports Awards
He became the first boxer to win a mainstream world title in the fewest fights of 10, surpassing the long-standing record of victories, which was last made in 1950
Inspired a new generation of South African fighters through his success on the global stage.
For Asanda Empires, Nontshinga’s story represents much more than boxing.
The company plans to build a national and international campaign around his pursuit of history, documenting the determination, resilience, and sacrifice that have defined his journey from a small Eastern Cape community to world champion.
“Sivenathi Nontshinga embodies everything that South Africans admire in a champion – resilience, discipline, humility, and an unwavering belief in his abilities. Time and again, he has travelled into the backyards of his opponents and returned home victorious,” said Asanda Mabengwana, CEO of Asanda Empires.
“He has already conquered Mexico, he has already defeated Regie Suganob before, and now he is prepared to do it again in the Philippines. We believe South Africa is witnessing a once-in-a-generation athlete pursuing a historic third world title. Asanda Empires is proud to stand alongside him as he carries the hopes of the Eastern Cape and the entire nation into another world-class challenge.”
The campaign will also highlight South Africa’s ability to produce world-class athletes capable of competing and winning anywhere in the world.
As he prepares to travel thousands of kilometres from home to face Suganob in the Philippines, Nontshinga carries more than his own ambitions into the ring. He carries the hopes of a nation that has watched him overcome setbacks, silence doubters, and repeatedly prove that South African boxing belongs among the world’s best.
The mission is simple. Win in the Philippines. Earn the mandatory challenger position. Fight for the world title. And become a three-time world champion. At 27 years old, Sivenathi “Special One” Nontshinga is no longer simply chasing greatness. He is chasing history for himself, for the Eastern Cape, and for South Africa.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
1: Since your last fight in November 2025, what have you been doing to stay ready for your return?
I kept training and exercising on my own, even when I didn’t have a fight lined up. When we officially started camp a week ago, my coach was actually surprised by my fitness level. For me, losing a fight doesn’t mean I stop being an athlete. I stayed disciplined, kept working, and stayed ready. Mental reset, taking time to appreciate the art of boxing and staying healthy after a dominant performance. Active sparring, pushing daily routines through high-level sparring sessions to drastically improve my hand speed. Staying heavily focused on conditioning to remain completely fight-ready for the IBF world title eliminator.
2: What major challenges, including financial struggles, have you faced in your career?
Growing up in townships and navigating early childhood around high crime, drugs, and extreme violence in informal settlements. In the boxing industry, overcoming the brutal financial realities, promoter politics, and structural neglect that African fighters frequently face. Bouncing back from heavy defeats and recovering from painful title losses taught me critical lessons about resilience and self-doubt. Sacrificing early stability, giving up a stable academic path in accounting or law to chase a highly unpredictable boxing dream.
SUPPLIED.
3: Who or what inspires you most to keep pushing for world titles?
My core inspirations are the youth. Inspiring young kids from similar impoverished backgrounds to believe they can achieve global greatness. My childhood vision was to fulfil a deep personal dream to travel the world and become an elite world champion. Lastly, my legacy, wanting to be remembered as a person who took every major opportunity with both hands.
4: What is the biggest misconception about African fighters on the global stage?
We lack technical skill. People often think African fighters only rely on toughness, completely ignoring our world-class ring IQ. Home-ground dependency, global critics think we cannot perform under pressure abroad, but I proved them wrong by winning in Mexico.
Assuming our local records are padded, despite facing some of the fiercest talent pools in the world, and believing we get intimidated by large global stages like Monaco or big international promotions.
5: What are your goals going forward, inside and outside the ring?
Getting that historic third world title. Demolishing Regie Suganob in our newly ordered IBF junior flyweight title eliminator and also dethroning the reigning champion. In the Weight division unification, progressing further to unify the major world titles in my weight class and claim the undisputed status. I also want to be involved in youth mentorship, actively helping township youth build a healthy, positive lifestyle away from drugs and crime,because that is how I avoided being sucked in that lifestyle. Building infrastructure, facilities such as gymnasiums, indoor sports centres, by doing so, I will also be providing and creating job opportunities. As well as financial security, establishing solid business foundations outside of the sport to protect my family’s future.
SUPPLIED.
