Boxing champion Sivenathi Nontshinga involved in serious car crash
South African boxing champion Sivenathi “Special One” Nontshinga has been involved in a serious car crash in Johannesburg. The two-time IBF Light-Flyweight World Champion was involved in the accident on Malibongwe Drive on Monday.
His management company, Asanda Empires, confirmed that its team was at the scene gathering information. Manager Naledi Zibi said more details would be released once they had established exactly what happened and communicated with the affected families.
“We will release details of what happened. We have just arrived at the scene, and we will share details on the crash. We still need to reach out and communicate with families,” said Zibi. The company has appealed for privacy and patience while the situation is being assessed. Nontshinga was preparing for another world-title opportunity. The 27-year-old was preparing for a major fight before the crash.
Nontshinga is scheduled to travel to the Philippines on 4 September for an IBF world title eliminator against Filipino boxer Regie Suganob. Victory would move him closer to an historic third reign as IBF Light-Flyweight World Champion. Nontshinga has already made history in his career.
He became South Africa’s youngest world champion and has won the IBF world title twice.
The Eastern Cape-born boxer grew up in Newlands near Mdantsane before rising through the ranks to compete on the international stage. He has also secured major victories outside South Africa, including in Mexico.
Nontshinga has won the IBF International Light-Flyweight Championship and the African Light-Flyweight Championship. He has also been named Boxing South Africa’s Boxer of the Year. In 2024, he received the Minister’s Excellence Award at the South African Sports Awards.
He also became the first South African boxer to win a mainstream world title after just 10 professional fights. The focus now turns to Nontshinga’s condition following the crash and whether the incident will affect his planned return to the ring.
His accident comes just days after the South African boxing fraternity was hit with the tragic news of Zolane Tete’s death last weekend. Tete was shot dead outside his home in Mdantsane last Friday.
