The IBF has ordered South Africa’s Sivenathi Nontshinga (13-1, 10 KOs) to defend his gentle flyweight world title in a rematch in opposition to his obligatory challenger, Christian Araneta (24-2, 19 KOs), of the Philippines.
Nontshinga recaptured the IBF world title on Feb. 16 in a direct rematch with Adrian Curiel (24-5-1, 5KOs) in Oaxaca, Mexico. Final November, Curiel produced a surprising second-round knockout of Nontshinga on the On line casino de Monte Carlo, Monaco, when an extended proper hand dropped Nontshinga and Curiel was topped IBF world champion in one in all boxing’s most vital upsets of the yr.
Matchroom and Nontshinga activated a rematch clause in Curiel’s bout settlement to obligate the South African to a rematch. Curiel would fall in a Tenth-round stoppage defeat in an entertaining second encounter with Nontshinga.
An official discover from the IBF states that representatives of Nonsthinga and Araneta have a deadline of April 4 to barter and conclude an settlement for the mandated contest. In any other case, purse bids might be referred to as following the expiration of the negotiating deadline.
In an official letter obtained by The Ring, IBF Championship Committee chairman Carlos Ortiz knowledgeable each events that Nontshinga’s obligatory protection is due on or earlier than Could 4, and recognized Araneta because the No. 1 out there contender.
“Negotiations ought to start instantly and be concluded by April 4, 2024,” wrote Ortiz. “In case you are unable to come back to an settlement for this bout inside 30 days, the IBF will name for a handbag bid.”
Nonthsinga and Araneta are not any strangers to 1 one other, having beforehand contested an IBF gentle flyweight ultimate eliminator in April 2021, in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Araneta dropped a slender unanimous resolution to Nontshinga, regardless of flooring the hometown favourite within the twelfth spherical.
Araneta has received 5 consecutive fights, with 4 coming inside the space, since his loss to Nontshinga in April 2021.
Araneta secured his place because the IBF obligatory challenger throughout the 108-pound rankings with a first-round knockout victory over countryman Arvin Magramo (17-2-1, 11 KOs) in January, on the NUSTAR Resort and On line casino, Cebu Metropolis, within the Philippines.
