Sivenathi Nontshinga enjoys fighting in his hometown as much as any fighter, but he thrives on the challenge of fighting in someone else’s hometown.

That will be the case on Saturday when Nontshinga, who is ranked No. 2 in the 108-pound weight class according to The Ring, defends Masamichi Yabuki’s IBF junior flyweight world title at the Aichi Sky Expo in Tokoname, Japan, a suburb of Nagoya where Yabuki lives .

At Friday’s weigh-in, Nontshing weighed 107.3 pounds. Yabuki weighed 107.1 pounds.

Nontshinga (13-1, 10 knockouts), based in Reeston, South Africa, last fought on February 16, defeating Adrien Curiel in the 10th round and regaining the IBF world champion belt. The victory over Curiel was a rematch of their November 4 clash, which Curiel won by knockout in the second round.

The 25-year-old won the vacant IBF title in September 2022, defeating Hector Flores Calixto via split decision. Both victories over Curiel and Flores came in Mexico. Nontshinga will go to foreign soil again to defend his title against Yabuki (16-4, 15 KO), who is ranked 6th according to The Ring.

Nontshinga has no problem fighting in another fighter’s hometown and actually loves fighting in this environment.

“Honestly, I love fighting in foreign countries or in my opponent’s backyard,” Nontshinga told The Ring Wednesday. “Thanks to them, I am (much) better and more powerful, and even (more) confident, because in the end it is me and the boxer in the square ring. Nobody else.”

Nontshinga hopes to follow in the footsteps of some of South Africa’s boxing greats, including the likes of former world champions ‘Baby’ Jake Matlala, Gerrie Coetzee and Brian Mitchell. All three fighters survived defeat before winning the world championship belt and leaving their mark on the sport.

Despite losing to Curiel in the first fight, Nontshinga recovered and regained the world champion belt. Nontshinga wants to forge his own path in the sport and hopes to contribute to the great history of the sport in South Africa.

“I’ve learned that sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, but the main reason is learning, dusting yourself off and pulling your socks up,” said Nontshinga, who made his professional debut in East London, South Africa, in July 2017. “It’s all a learning curve . Think of it as a minor setback for (a) major setback (or) a major comeback.

“To be mentioned among the best from my country would simply mean a lot because these are our icons.”

Nontshinga is trained and managed by Colin Nathan, who is based in Johannesburg and is respected in boxing circles in South Africa and abroad. Nontshinga is grateful to have someone with Nathan’s pedigree in his corner.

“(Colin) means everything to me,” Nontshinga said. “(He) played a huge role in my career. I’m here because of him. I will always honor this man’s name. He changed my life and the life of my family.”

A victory over Yakubi could put Nontshinga on the path to unification with another 108-pound world titleholder. Nontshinga could face the winner of the October 13 fight between Shokichi Iwata and Jairo Noriega, who will fight for the vacant WBO junior flyweight world title.

A fight with Kenshiro Teraji, who is the 108-pound ring champion, is possible.

Nontshinga wants to make a statement at Yakubi’s expense and also prove that he is the best fighter at 108 pounds.

“I will surprise the whole world and outsmart Yabuki, but believe me, the fight will end in (a) knockout in the later rounds.

“I think I’m one of the best junior flyweights and I have the tools to become the best.”

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Both Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol weighed just under the featherlight heavyweight limit to take part in Saturday’s undisputed title fight at the Kingdom Arena in Riyad, Saudi Arabia.

The slimmer, slightly taller Bivol, 33, weighed 67.12 pounds. Beterbiev, 39, whose torn meniscus forced him to postpone the coveted competition to June 1, weighed 60.9 kg.

The Russians looked at each other for a moment, showing mutual respect, and then left the stage with the same tranquil with which they arrived.

“I’m always like this,” Bivol told DAZN during the ceremonial weigh-in. “I’m laid back, but also focused. It means a lot to me, but at the same time I try to forget everything I’ve been through. Thank you for everything, for everyone and now I only focus on Saturday.

“I just need to eat well, sleep and be ready. I’m used to this. I have been fighting since I was six years ancient.”

“Good as usual,” Beterbiev replied when asked about his well-being. “[My] favorite part is the fighting. Like I said, we’ll see. I’m getting ready to fight.”

Their recent reluctance to express themselves led to Bivol promoter Eddie Hearn, long associated with DAZN, attempting to promote Saturday’s fight again and saying: “It’s a great generational fight. The best featherlight heavyweight fight in decades.

“Two icy competitors. This is a chance for Dmitry Bivol to fulfill a lifelong dream. “

The full weighing results are as follows

Lightweight heavyweight – 12 rounds

Artur Beterbiev (174.9 pounds) vs. Dmitry Bivol (174.12 pounds)

Heavyweight – 12 rounds

Fabio Wardley (241.6 lbs) vs Frazer Clarke (271.3 lbs)

Cruiserweight – 12 rounds

Jai Opetaia (198.6 pounds) vs. Jack Massey (199.13 pounds)

Middleweight – 12 rounds

Chris Eubank Jnr (159.1 pp) vs Kamil Szeremeta (159.1 pp)

Featherweight – 10 two-minute rounds

Skye Nicolson (125.9 pounds) vs. Raven Chapman (125.9 pounds)

Lightweight heavyweight – 10 rounds

Ben Whittaker (174.9 pounds) vs Liam Cameron (174.6 pounds)

Super featherweight – four rounds

Mohammed Alakel (131 pounds) vs. Jesus Gonzalez (131 pounds)

Artur Beterbiew is the WBC, IBF and WBO lightweight heavyweight champion. Beterbiev has held at least one belt since November 2017, when he defeated Enrico Koelling to win the IBF title. He added the WBC title with a win over Oleksandr Gvozdyk in October 2019 and the WBO belt by defeating Joe Smith Jr. in June 2022. Beterbiev also has notable wins over Anthony Yard, Marcus Browne and Callum Smith.

Next fight: October 12 vs. Dmitry Bivol

Record: 20-0, 20 KOs
Date of birth: January 21, 1995
Age: 39
Stance: Orthodox
Reception: 73 inches
Height: 5 feet 11½

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