By Monwabisi Jimlongo
Moruti ‘Babyface’ Mthalane is going to defend his International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight crown in the United Kingdom on Workers’ Day.
Mthalane is set to make his fourth defence of his title against unbeaten 25-year-old Sunny Edwards from the UK on Saturday, 1 May. This was revealed by Mthalane’s trainer Colin ‘Nomakanjani’ Nathan.
“Moruti is going to defend his world title against Sunny Edwards in the United Kingdom on the first of May,” Nathan confirmed.
Mthalane has not fought since he stopped Japanese boxer Akira Yaegashi at the Arena Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan in December 2019 while Edwards’ last fight was against Cameroon-born Thomas Essomba in August 2020.
The 37-year-old Mthalane was due to defend his belt in December last year, but his clash against Filipino boxer Jayson Mama was cancelled after the fight promoter failed to meet financial requirements to host a tournament.
Meanwhile, Nathan has revealed that Khanyile Bulana’s fight against current International Boxing Organisation (IBO) junior-lightweight champion Michael Magnesi will now take place on Saturday, 24 April in Rome, Italy. Initially, the fight was pencilled for 18 April then changed to two days earlier before they settled for the 24th.
“Everything is on track for Bulana as the fight against Magnesi has now been shifted to the 24th of April,” Nathan said.
