By Monwabisi Jimlongo
Top South African boxer and current International Boxing Federation
(IBF) flyweight champion Moruti ‘Babyface’ Mthalane is bracing himself
for a Jayson Mama clash.
Mthalane faces Filipino boxer Mama in the fourth defence of his IBF
belt at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in
Durban on Sunday.
‘‘The fight is on in Durban on Sunday. I’m very happy that I will be
fighting in Durban again,’’ Mthalane said.
‘‘My preparations have gone very well. Actually, we are done preparing
for this fight, we are just maintaining fitness and weight now.’’
Mthalane is confident that he is going to retain his title even though
he has not fought in almost a year.
The former International Boxing Organisation (IBO) flyweight champion
last fought when he stopped Japanese boxer Akira Yaegashi in Yokohama,
Japan, on 23 December 2019.
‘‘He is a good boxer, a prospect, but he won’t do anything to me.
People should not worry because the belt is going to remain here in
South Africa. He will come here with nothing and return to his home
empty handed,’’ Mthalane said referring to Mama.
Lindelani-born Mthalane has an impressive record of 39 wins (26
knockouts) and two losses while Mama is unbeaten in 15 fights (eight
knockouts).
Mthalane has not lost in 12 years with his last defeat being a
stoppage by Filipino boxer Nonito Donaire in an IBF and IBO flyweight
title contest in Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, in the United States.
A loss to former South African and World Boxing Council (WBC)
International flyweight champion Nkqubela Gwazela in 2004 is the other
blemish in Mthalane’s splendid boxing career.
The tournament is promoted by Nokwanda Mbatha’s Tono Boxing Promotions.
