Trainers Nathan and Pailman off to the Philippines with Nontshinga

The successful boxing team of trainer-cum-manager Colin Nathan and trainer, tactician, and best cutman Bernie Pailman will continue with what it is known for in the Philippines in two weeks’ time.

Just last Sunday, the terrible twins helped IBO junior-lightweight champ, Bernice “The Badger” Ferreira, to win the WBC title in her collection.

Nathan and Pailman will be in charge of the corner when Sivenathi “The Special One” Nontshinga is involved in his crucial match against Reggie Suganob on September 22.

The two boxers will be involved in an elimination fight for the rights to challenge IBF junior-flyweight world champion Thanongsak Simsi of Thailand.

Suganob — who will enjoy home advantage — is rated No 3, a spot above Nontshinga by the IBF in that weight division.

The No 1 and No 2 spots are vacant. The winner in what will be the second meeting between Nontshinga and Suganob will occupy the No 1 position and be in line to challenge Simsi.

Nathan is the deal-maker who works with heavyweight boxing promoters around the globe.

Nathan has trained as a fighter since 2000 and has helped many boxers to win world titles from all four respected sanctioning boxing bodies — the WBA, IBF, WBO, and WBC.

He has established himself as the No 1 boxing manager in Africa.

A shrewd businessman and a gym owner, he has brought closer to him Pailman, who has his own gym in Westbury.

Pailman is a successful trainer who can also read a game exceptionally well.

Pailman has produced world champions and has gained respect in dealing with cuts.

His fingerprints are all over the success of Nathan’s fighters.

All eyes here will be on them to help Nontshinga win and put himself in line to try to win that IBF title for the third time.

He first won that title on September 3 2022, by a split-point decision after closely contested 12 rounds against Hector Flores in Mexico.

Nontshinga defended successfully by unanimous points against Suganob in East London on July 2 2023.

Four months later, Nontshinga lost that title by a second-round knockout to Adrian Curiel in Monaco.

Nathan’s astuteness saw Notshinga challenging Curiel on February 16 2024.

The former champion did not even fight for the rights to challenge but went straight into the championships.

Nathan and Pailman guided him to a 10-round stoppage win, which lasted for seven months before Nontshinga’s reign was ended by a ninth-round stoppage to Masamichi Yabuki in Japan.

Nontshinga took time off before coming back 13 months later to chalk up a second-round knockout of Sunday Kiwale on November 15 last year.

The 41-year-old Tanzanian – whose professional boxing career spanned nearly two decades – suffered his 17th loss in 42 fights.

Kiwale had previously lost to Daluxolo Mangcotywa in 2017, Sikho Nqothole in 2018, and Nhlanhla Tyirha in August last year.

Since tasting defeat to Nontshinga, Suganob has fought five times, and one of those victories was against Siphamandla Baleni on February 28.

While 27-year-old Nontshinga has 14 wins in 16 fights, 28-year-old Suganob has 18 wins from 19 fights.