Sivenathi Nontshinga’s Japanese gamble backfires as Masamichi Yabuki earns his second world title

The gamble of South Africa’s Sivenathi Nontshinga failed to pay as he lost his IBF junior-flyweight title to the inspired Japanese veteran Masamichi Yabuki in Japan.

Yabuki became a two-weight world champion with an impressive ninth-round stoppage, and although Nontshinga courageously battled to hang on to his title, the power of the challenger eventually told. 

Yabuki, a 32 year old from Nagoya, floored the now ex-champion three times on his way to a memorable victory. He started aggressively, initially jabbing often but thumping in an early left hook and lashing away with a right uppercut that just missed its intended target.

But Yabuki, 17-4 (16 KOs), landed a couple of quick right hands as the round progressed and his hand speed made an early difference inside the Aichi Sky Expo in Tokoname.

A further right hand caused the South African to momentarily back-pedal early in the second, although the champion was defiantly looking for gaps with his jab.

Nontshinga kept his respectful high guard in the third, and he began to target the challenger’s body, but he was clearly wary about what was coming back.

The 25 year old was more explorative and adventurous in the fifth, but paid for over-extending with a looping right by shipping a counter left hook. Still, he thumped the challenger with a big right hand with 30 seconds remaining in the round.

Neither were pulling their punches, although Nontshinga was holding his feet, seemingly cautious of Yabuki’s speed and pace, and the South African’s corner was warning him he was taking too long to close the gap.

A left hook from Yakubi to the body in the seventh caused Nontshinga to drop his right elbow to protect the area but it was a good round, and Nontshinga had replied downstairs moments later.

Nontshinga tried to shake off a right hand in the eighth, but the still aggressive Yabuki stormed forwards with both hands and Nontshinga turned his back and dropped to his knees.

The champion made it back to his feet, and the bell preserved his title for another minute.

Nontshinga’s team, including his trainer Colin Nathan, urged him to go on the front foot to prevent Yakubi pouring forwards but the South African was dropped again and cut by his right eye. Although Nontshinga, now 13-2 (10 KOs), gamely fought on, he was sent tumbling from a long right hand once more and the referee Mark Calo-oy waved it over.