Repeat or revenge.
That would be the theme Friday night time as Adrian Curiel will try to show his first battle in opposition to Sivenathi Nontshinga was not a fluke.
Curiel will defend his IBF world junior flyweight title in opposition to Nontshinga on the Auditorio Guelaguetza in Oaxaca, Mexico. The 12-round bout will headline a Matchroom Boxing card that can stream reside on DAZN (8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT).
The conflict between the 2 is a compelling one, as each are within the high 10. Curiel and Nontshinga are rated at No. 2 and 5, respectively, by The Ring at junior flyweight.
Getting into the November 4 bout as an +800 underdog, Curiel pulled off the most important upset, scoring a devastating one-punch knockout win of Nontshinga within the second spherical. The win on November 4 was Curiel’s first try at a world title belt.
Curiel (24-4-1, 5 knockouts), who resides in Mexico Metropolis, isn’t overlooking Nontshinga and ready for the battle with the mentality of a challenger.
“It’s nice to be right here and an enormous alternative to defend my title,” stated Curiel at Wednesday’s press convention. “We have now educated as champions, however we’ll go into the battle with a challenger mentality. It’s nice to defend my belt on dwelling soil. It was not a fortunate shot or KO.
“I’ve been watching interviews that (Nontshinga has) been giving, and he says that I’m not an enormous puncher and I’m a straightforward fighter, however he’ll see on Friday that as we are saying right here, individuals have to again up what they are saying. So, we’ll see on Friday if that’s true.”
In his earlier battle on August 4, Curiel stopped Ivan Garcia Carrillo within the second spherical. Curiel has turned his profession round and is now unbeaten in his final 9 bouts. Between 2019 and 2021, Curiel was 1-2, with defeats to Joselito Velazquez and Cristian Gonzalez.
Nontshinga (12-1, 9 KOs) received the vacant IBF world title in Mexico in September 2022, defeating Hector Flores by split-decision. He would make a voluntary protection in East London, South Africa, not removed from his dwelling in Reeston, dropping Regie Suganob as soon as en path to a unanimous resolution victory on July 2.
Regardless of struggling the primary defeat as a professional, Nontshinga is assured he’ll actual his revenge and are available out victorious and reclaim his world title belt.
“My title appears good on him,” stated Nontshinga. “It feels nice to be right here (in Oaxaca), it’s been a very long time coming. I’ve been working so exhausting, and I’ll seize this chance with each palms. There will likely be an awesome ambiance. I’ve met so many form individuals right here and I’m trying ahead to Friday night time.
“I’ve educated so exhausting, it’s not the primary time I’ve ready for a world title battle. I’ve been a champion earlier than, and I promise everyone that, as soon as once more, I’ll prevail. I consider falling down is a part of life, however getting again up resides, so as soon as once more, I’ll turn into a champion.”
Each Curiel and Nontshinga are 25 years previous.
Within the co-feature, former WBA world featherweight titleholder Mauricio Lara (26-3-1, 19 KOs), additionally of Mexico Metropolis, will face Daniel Lugo (27-2, 18 KOs) of Hermosillo, Mexico in a 10-round junior light-weight bout.
Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has coated boxing in Southern California and overseas since 2000. Francisco additionally covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He might be reached at [email protected]
Comply with @FSalazarBoxing
