Sivenathi Nontshinga fell victim to a huge upset, which saw him join an exclusive club alongside Mike Tyson and Anthony Joshua.
Nontshinga faced what seemed like a routine night in the luxurious walls of Casino De Monte Carlo, Monaco as he defended his IBF flyweight title.
Nontshinga was left unconscious on the ropes in a seismic upset
He took on Adrian Curiel, who was given little chance of causing a seismic upset on the night, having suffered four defeats already in his stuttering professional career.
The South African was considered arguably one of the top three leading fighters in the division, but what followed on Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing bill was simply remarkable.
Nonthsinga was ranked as a 1/8 favourite going into the seemingly simple defence, but it was clear from the off it would be anything but as Curiel started fast.
The challenger got to the second round and decided it was moment, going on the front foot aggressively against the shell shocked champion.
He landed an overhand right which connected flush and sent the stunned champion crashing through the ropes before lying on the ring canvas unconscious.
It triggered a moment of disbelief on the face of the champion elect, taking time before celebrating in respect to the health of his rival.
But Nonthsinga relinquished his title in a monumental upset, which Curiel simply couldn’t believe.
The upset was record-breaking and one which has been compared to Buster Douglas’ famous KO win over Mike Tyson in 1990.
Curiel followed in the same footsteps as Douglas’ famous win in 1990
Joshua fell to a similar fate on his US debut in 2019, being knocked down three times en route to a huge upset defeat against short-notice replacement Andy Ruiz Jr.
Curiel said after the fight: “It’s an absolute dream for me this victory.
“It’s super important for me and my family, it’s a victory for Mexico. I spoke to my mother and I said to her, no one’s going to beat me tonight.
“When I started at six years old, this was my dream, and I think someone is looking down on me from up there right now.”
Nonthsinga was now an unfortunate member of the club, but wwill still hope to go on to big things, just as Joshua and Tyson did.
There have been true underdog stories which epitomise the worldwide love of boxing, but nothing quite like ferocious heavyweight ‘Iron Mike’.
Tyson did go on to achieve greatness despite his huge blow
Tyson was undefeated having become the youngest ever heavyweight champion, and took on what looked like a similarly routine defence.
But what followed was mesmerising as the dominant star was sent crashing to the canvas by the 42/1 underdog, and he was unable to beat the referee’s count.
He lost his belt, but was able to rebuild and went on to be crowned as one of the greatest of all-time at heavyweight.
The Brooklyn native went on to fight the likes of Lennox Lewis, Larry Holmes and Evander Holyfield, in addition to reigning as undisputed champion.
British heavyweight AJ met a similar fate 29 years later against late replacement Ruiz.
Joshua looked nervous walking into the ring at the ‘Mecca Of Boxing’ [Madison Square Garden] in New York, but he was still expected to progress.
But his resilient Mexican rival resisted the urge to give in to the tag, dropping the Briton three times with a masterclass in accuracy and power.
Ruiz did what no-one felt could be achieved by dethroning Joshua
The crowd gasped before a wall of silence met Joshua, who could not continue, and knew his hopes of facing Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder had briefly faded.
Equally, the 35-year-old has gone on to achieve big things getting immediate revenge against Ruiz thereafter.
Following back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, Joshua is revived under Ben Davison and is expected to face Daniel Dubois for the IBF title in September.
Nonthsinga is on a similar trajectory having avenged his defeat to Curiel three months later in February 2024, with a similarly devastating KO.
And he is now hoping to push on and unify the flyweight division after recapturing his belt.
