By Monwabisi Jimlongo
A boxing career spanning more than two decades is set to come to an end when former world champion Moruti ‘Babyface’ Mthalane laces his gloves for the last time later this year.
One of the most disciplined, dedicated and committed pugilists ever to come out of South Africa, Mthalane is scheduled to face Diomel Diocos from the Philippines at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall on Sunday, 2 October – four days before he celebrates his 40th birthday.
It’s been a long and winding road for Mthalane since he made his professional debut with a knockout win over Wiseman Mnguni in Durban in December 2000.
“I’m fighting against an opponent from the Philippines in a non-title fight over 10 rounds in October. I can say this is going to be my last fight as a boxer. That’s the decision that I have taken. I want to win this fight so that it can leave a lasting impression on boxing followers’ minds,” Mthalane remarked.
Lindelani-born Mthalane has, along the way, met difficulties and challenges, which he overcame by becoming a world champion. He won the International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight title on two occasions. He also had the International Boxing Organisation (IBO) flyweight belt strapped around his waist.
The 39-year-old Mthalane took the good with the bad of boxing and went on to become one of the most respected boxers.
“Boxing was very nice to me when I was a six rounder. I used to get more fights. However, things changed when I became a world champion as I struggled to get fights. That was not a nice experience even though it made me stronger,” Mthalane, who lost his IBF flyweight title to Briton Sunny Edwards in April last year, said.
“Despite all the things that happened to me, I want to say boxing has been good to me as you know that I’m uneducated and wouldn’t be where I am had it not been for the sport.”
Mthalane, who is trained by Colin Nathan at Hot Box Gym in Johannesburg, revealed that his former trainer, the late Nick Durandt, gave him sound advice when they were still working together.
“I’m grateful for everything that I have achieved through boxing. I still believe that I would have achieved more had it not been for boxing politics. Be that as it may, I really appreciate whatever I have achieved,” he said.
“I managed to build a home for my mom in Lindelani. I have also managed to buy myself a house here in Johannesburg. I don’t owe the bank a cent. I’m grateful to the late Nick Durandt for the advice he gave me. Nick advised me to buy everything cash, not on credit. That advise has helped me, especially with the unpredictability of boxing where sometimes you don’t even know when your next fight will be.”
Mthalane has a professional record of 39 victories, 26 of those ended in knockouts, and three losses.
He has only lost once to a South African boxer – Nkqubela Gwazelaa during a fight for the SA and World Boxing Council (WBC) International flyweight titles in September 2004. The other two losses came in fights against Filipino boxer Nonito Donaire Junior and Edwards.
