Moruti Mthalane

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Moruti Mthalane
Statistics
Nickname(s)Babyface
Weight(s)Flyweight
Height5 ft 5+1⁄2 in (166 cm)
Reach66+1⁄2 in (169 cm)
NationalitySouth African
Born (1982-10-06) 6 October 1982 (age 39)
Gauteng, South Africa
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights42
Wins39
Wins by KO26
Losses3

Moruti Mthalane (born 6 October 1982) is a South African professional boxer. He is a two-time IBF flyweight champion, having held the title from 2009 to 2014 and 2018 to April 2021. He also held the IBO flyweight title from 2014 to 2017.

Professional career[]

First IBF flyweight title reign[]

On 5 July 2009, Mthalane's promoter Branco Milenkovic revealed that Mthalane was designated by the IBF as the mandatory challenger for Nonito Donaire IBF flyweight title. Before the terms of the fight could be negotiated however, Donaire vacated the title and moved up to super flyweight. Accordingly, the IBF ordered a fight between Eric Ortiz and Julio Cesar Miranda to determine who would fight Mthalane for the vacant title,[1] with Miranda winning by a first-round knockout. The fight for the vacant world title was scheduled for 20 November 2009, and was held at the Wembley Indoor Arena in Johannesburg, South Africa.[2] Mthalane won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 117-111, 117-111 and 118-111. He became the third South African fighter in 2009 to win a major IBF title.[3]

On 1 March 2010, Zolani Tete was designated as the IBF flyweight mandatory title challenger after defeating Richard Garcia by unanimous decision in an IBF flyweight title eliminator.[4] The IBF flyweight world title fight between Mthalane and Tete was scheduled for 1 September 2010, at the Carnival City in Brakpan, South Africa. Mthalane won the fight by knockout, stopping Tete at the 2:27 minute mark of the fifth round.[5]

Mthalane made his second IBF title defense against Johnriel Casimero on 26 March 2011 at the Nasrec Indoor Arena in Johannesburg, South Africa. Mthalane won the fight by a fifth-round technical knockout. The bout was high in both pace and volume from the beginning, with Casimero fading as the fight went on, before he stopped defending himself effectively in the fifth round.[6]

Mthalane was scheduled to make his third title defense against Andrea Sarritzu on 28 October 2011. The bout took place at the PalaRockfeller in Cagliari, Italy, which was his first fight outside of the South African Republic. Mthalane stopped the 35-year-old Sardinian by a seventh-round technical knockout, after Sarritzu's corner threw in the towel.[7]

On 1 June 2012, the IBF ordered Mthalane to defend his title against Ricardo Nunez, giving the two camps a 30-day negotiation period to come to terms.[8] Mthalane had a great start to the fight, as he managed to knock Nunez down in the second minute of the first round. Nunez knocked Mthalane down in turn in the third round, and began to take over the fight from that point until the seventh round. Mthalane rallied back in the from that point forward, before finally stopping Nunez in the eight round.[9]

Mthalane was stripped of the IBF title in January 2014, after failing to come to terms with mandatory challenger Amnat Ruenroeng.[10]

IBO flyweight champion[]

18 months after his last fight, Mthalane was scheduled to face Jether Oliva for the vacant IBO flyweight title on 15 March 2014.[11] He won the fight by split decision, with two judges awarding him a 116-112 and 117-112 scorecard respectively, while the third judge scored the fight 115-113 for Oliva.[12]

Mthalane made his first IBO flyweight title defense against Odilon Zaleta on 26 October 2014 at the Olive Convention Centre in Durban, South Africa. He won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 116-112, 117-111 and 117-111.[13] Mthalane was scheduled to defend his IBO flyweight title for the second time against Renz Rosia on 15 December 2015, at the Olive Convention Centre in Durban, South Africa.[14] He won the fight by a ninth-round stoppage, as Rosia refused to come out of his corner for the tenth round.[15] Mthalane faced Genisis Libranza in his third IBO title defense on 28 April 2017, following a near-17-month hiatus from boxing.[16] He won the fight by a fourth-round knockout, stopping Libranza with a body shot.[17]

Mthalane faced Isaac Quaye in a ten-round non-title bout on 24 September 2017.[18] He won the fight by a second-round technical knockout.[19] This was his last fight as an IBO champion, as he was vacated the title on 20 October 2017 to fight in an IBF sanctioned bout next.[20]

Second IBF flyweight title reign[]

It was announced on 17 October 2017, that the #10 ranked IBF flyweight contender Mthalane would face Ardin Diale for the vacant IBF International flyweight title.[21] Mthalane won the fight by a second-round technical knockout. Following this victory, his promoter Tshele Kometsi began negotiating with the IBF for an IBF title eliminator bout.[22]

A title eliminator bout proved unnecessary, as the reigning IBF flyweight champion Donnie Nietes opted to vacate the title to move up in weight. Mthalane was instead scheduled to face Muhammad Waseem at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The fight was originally meant to be an eliminator before champion Donnie Nietes vacated the belt.[23] Mthalane won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 114-113, 114-113 and 116-110. He faced most difficulty in the sixth round, after being knocked down by Waseem, but managed to recover sufficiently to edge out the bout in his favor.[24]

Mthalane made his first IBF title defense of his second reign against Masahiro Sakamoto on 31 December 2018 at the Wynn Palace in Macau. The #14 ranked IBF flyweight contender Sakamoto came in as a heavy underdog,[25] which proved true in the fight, as Mthalane won the fight by a tenth-round technical knockout.[26] He expressed his desire to unify with the new WBC flyweight champion Charlie Edwards, saying "At the moment I’m looking for the new champion Charlie Edwards. I would be very happy to get a chance to unify against him".[27]

Mthalane made his second title defense against Masayuki Kuroda, who was at the time ranked as the ninth best flyweight in the world by The Ring, on 13 May 2019 at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.[28] He won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 116-112, 116-112, and 117-111.[29]

Mthalane was scheduled to make his third title defense against the former WBC, Ring, and lineal flyweight champion Akira Yaegashi on 23 December 2019 at the Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan.[30] He won the fight by a ninth-round technical knockout, with CompuBox recording 1200 punches thrown. Mthalane began to take over from the seventh round onward, finally stopping his opponent with a flurry near the end of the ninth round.[31]

Mthalane was scheduled to make his fourth title defense against Sunny Edwards on 30 April 2021, 16 months from his last fight, at the York Hall in London, England.[32] He lost the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 118–111, 120–108 and 115–113.[33]

Professional boxing record[]

Professional record summary
42 fights 39 wins 3 losses
By knockout 26 2
By decision 13 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
42 Loss 39–3 United Kingdom Sunny Edwards UD 12 30 Apr 2021 United Kingdom York Hall, London, England Lost IBF flyweight title
41 Win 39–2 Japan Akira Yaegashi TKO 9 (12), 2:54 23 Dec 2019 Japan Yokohama Arena, Yokohama, Japan Retained IBF flyweight title
40 Win 38–2 Japan Masayuki Kuroda UD 12 13 May 2019 Japan Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Retained IBF flyweight title
39 Win 37–2 Japan Masahiro Sakamoto TKO 10 (12) 31 Dec 2018 Macau Wynn Palace, Macau, SAR Retained IBF flyweight title
38 Win 36–2 Pakistan Muhammad Waseem UD 12 15 Jul 2018 Malaysia Axiata Arena, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Won vacant IBF flyweight title
37 Win 35–2 Philippines Ardin Diale TKO 2 (12) 27 Oct 2017 South Africa Convention Centre, Mmabatho, South Africa Won vacant IBF International flyweight title
36 Win 34–2 Ghana Isaac Quaye TKO 2 (10) 24 Sep 2017 South Africa Ramosa Community Hall, Mohlakeng, South Africa
35 Win 33–2 Philippines Genisis Libranza KO 4 (12) 28 Apr 2017 South Africa Wembley Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, South Africa Retained IBO flyweight title
34 Win 32–2 Philippines Renz Rosia TKO 9 (12) 15 Dec 2015 South Africa Olive Convention Centre, Durban, South Africa Retained IBO flyweight title
33 Win 31–2 Mexico Odilon Zaleta UD 12 26 Oct 2014 South Africa International Convention Centre, Durban, South Africa Retained IBO flyweight title
32 Win 30–2 Philippines Jether Oliva SD 12 15 Mar 2014 South Africa International Convention Centre, Durban, South Africa Won vacant IBO flyweight title
31 Win 29–2 Panama Ricardo Núñez TKO 8 (12), 2:41 1 Sep 2012 Panama Roberto Durán Arena, Panama City, Panama Retained IBF flyweight title
30 Win 28–2 Italy Andrea Sarritzu TKO 7 (12) 28 Oct 2011 Italy PalaRockfeller, Cagliari, Italy Retained IBF flyweight title
29 Win 27–2 Philippines Johnriel Casimero TKO 5 (12), 1:50 26 Mar 2011 South Africa Nasrec Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, South Africa Retained IBF flyweight title
28 Win 26–2 South Africa Zolani Tete TKO 5 (12), 2:27 1 Sep 2010 South Africa Carnival City, Brakpan, South Africa Retained IBF flyweight title
27 Win 25–2 Mexico Julio César Miranda UD 12 20 Nov 2009 South Africa Wembley Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, South Africa Won vacant IBF flyweight title
26 Win 24–2 South Africa Lehlohonolo Ramagole KO 3 (12), 2:26 18 Apr 2009 South Africa North-West University Sports Complex, Mafikeng, South Africa
25 Loss 23–2 Philippines Nonito Donaire TKO 6 (12), 1:31 1 Nov 2008 United States Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, US For IBF and IBO flyweight titles
24 Win 23–1 Australia Hussein Hussein UD 12 5 Jul 2008 South Africa Jan Smuts Stadium, East London, South Africa
23 Win 22–1 South Africa Joel Kunene TKO 5 (12) 12 Apr 2008 South Africa North-West University Sports Complex, Mahikeng, South Africa Retained South African flyweight title
22 Win 21–1 Philippines Apol Suico TKO 1 (12), 2:22 29 Sep 2007 South Africa Park Station Concourse, Johannesburg, South Africa Won vacant WBC International flyweight title
21 Win 20–1 South Africa Xola Sifama TKO 5 (12), 2:38 16 Jun 2007 South Africa Jabulani Mall, Soweto, South Africa Retained South African flyweight title
20 Win 19–1 South Africa Zamumzi Xola TKO 3 (12), 2:23 1 Dec 2006 South Africa Orlando Communal Hall, Soweto, South Africa Retained South African flyweight title
19 Win 18–1 South Africa Akhona Aliva KO 6 (12), 1:37 11 Aug 2006 South Africa Orient Theatre, East London, South Africa Won South African flyweight title
18 Win 17–1 South Africa Mbulelo Nyanda TKO 4 (8) 3 Sep 2005 South Africa Park Station Concourse, Johannesburg, South Africa
17 Win 16–1 South Africa Thembelani Maphuma KO 6 (8) 28 May 2005 South Africa Park Station Concourse, Johannesburg, South Africa
16 Win 15–1 South Africa Siphiwe Khumalo PTS 6 12 Mar 2005 South Africa Park Station Concourse, Johannesburg, South Africa
15 Loss 14–1 South Africa Nkqubela Gwazela TKO 10 (12), 2:35 24 Sep 2004 South Africa Graceland Hotel Casino, Secunda, South Africa For South African and vacant WBC International flyweight titles
14 Win 14–0 South Africa Vincent Mogotsi TKO 7 (8), 1:10 26 Jun 2004 South Africa Park Station Concourse, Johannesburg, South Africa
13 Win 13–0 South Africa Joel Kunene PTS 6 8 May 2004 South Africa Carousel Casino, Hammanskraal, South Africa
12 Win 12–0 South Africa Thabo Tshehla TKO 3 (4) 24 Feb 2004 South Africa Carousel Casino, Hammanskraal, South Africa
11 Win 11–0 South Africa Piet Nkate TKO 3 (6) 28 Nov 2003 South Africa Carousel Casino, Hammanskraal, South Africa
10 Win 10–0 South Africa Siphiwe Khumalo TKO 5 (6) 30 Sep 2003 South Africa Carousel Casino, Hammanskraal, South Africa
9 Win 9–0 South Africa Mpumezi Mazantsi KO 1 (4) 15 Aug 2003 South Africa Inst. of Technology Hall, Durban, South Africa
8 Win 8–0 South Africa Nelson Sebobiso PTS 6 25 Jun 2003 South Africa Park Station Concourse, Johannesburg, South Africa
7 Win 7–0 South Africa Joel Kunene PTS 8 7 Dec 2002 South Africa The Arena, Durban, South Africa
6 Win 6–0 South Africa Nyiko Zitha TKO 3 (4) 13 Jul 2002 South Africa Town Hall, Giyani, South Africa
5 Win 5–0 South Africa Sibonelo Gumede PTS 4 14 Dec 2001 South Africa DLI Hall, Durban, South Africa
4 Win 4–0 South Africa Wiseman Mnguni TKO 3 (4) 8 Jul 2001 South Africa The Arena, Durban, South Africa
3 Win 3–0 South Africa Sibongakonke Mchunu PTS 4 27 Apr 2001 South Africa The Arena, Durban, South Africa
2 Win 2–0 South Africa Ishmael Mtshali PTS 4 21 Jan 2001 South Africa The Arena, Durban, South Africa
1 Win 1–0 South Africa Wiseman Mnguni KO 3 (4) 10 Dec 2000 South Africa The Arena, Durban, South Africa

See also[]

  • List of flyweight boxing champions

References[]

  1. ^ "Mthalane waits for crack at IBF flyweight title". sowetanlive.co.za. 6 July 2009. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  2. ^ Nathanielsz, Ronnie (17 November 2009). "Moruti Mthalane Vows To Beat Miranda, Win IBF Title". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  3. ^ Vester, Mark (21 November 2009). "Moruti Mthalane Decisions Miranda To Capture IBF Title". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  4. ^ Nathanielsz, Ronnie (1 March 2009). "Zolani Tete Decisions Richard Garcia in IBF Eliminator". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  5. ^ Magasela, Bongani (16 October 2019). "Moruti Mthalane fancies Tete in bout of his victims". sowetanlive.co.za. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  6. ^ Chaykovsky, Edward. "Ndlovu Shocks Molitor To Win, Mthalane KOs Casimero". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  7. ^ Associated Press (29 October 2011). "Moruti Mthalane keeps flyweight belt". espn.com. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  8. ^ Gonzalez, Jhonny (6 June 2012). "Moruti Mthalane vs Ricardo Nunez Discussions Begin". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  9. ^ BoxingScene Staff (2 September 2012). "Moruti Mthalane KO's Ricardo Nunez in a Wild Defense". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  10. ^ "Mthalane stripped of title". news24.com. 18 January 2014. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  11. ^ "Boxer Jether Oliva hopes second chance at title is the charm". rappler.com. 14 March 2014. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  12. ^ Fischer, Doug (15 March 2014). "Moruti Mthalane scores split decision over Jether Oliva". ringtv.com. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  13. ^ Furman, Luke. "Moruti Mthalane Retains IBO Crown, Decisions Zaleta". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  14. ^ Icasiano, Nissi (4 December 2015). "Pinoy boxer Renz Rosia determined to win IBO title, says manager". rappler.com. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  15. ^ Magasela, Bongani (14 December 2015). "No sign of ring rust as Mthalane stops Rosia". sowetanlive.co.za. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  16. ^ Ramos, Josef T. (23 April 2017). "Libranza faces Mthalane for IBO title". manilatimes.net. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  17. ^ Wainwright, Anson (12 May 2017). "To Moruti Mthalane, age is meaningless". ringtv.com. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  18. ^ Golden Gloves (21 September 2017). "'Baby Face' Mthalane the weekend treat". goldengloves.co.za. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  19. ^ Mokhine, Pule (29 September 2017). "Babyface to slug it out for terror". news24.com. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  20. ^ Magasela, Bongani (20 October 2017). "'Baby Face' Mthalane gives up IBO belt for IBF bout". timeslive.co.za. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  21. ^ Magasela, Bongani. "Mthalane in bid to regain his IBF flyweight title". sowetanlive.co.za. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  22. ^ Magasela, Bongani (30 October 2017). "Mthalane on track for IBF title eliminator". sowetanlive.co.za. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  23. ^ Songalia, Ryan (9 April 2018). "Moruti Mthalane to face Muhammad Wassem for vacant IBF flyweight title". ringtv.com. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  24. ^ BoxingScene Staff (14 July 2018). "Mthalane Gets Off The Floor To Edge Waseem For IBF Title". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  25. ^ Skok, Nick (25 December 2018). "Masahiro Sakamoto: 'If Moruti Mthalane takes me lightly, I'll upset him'". ringtv.com. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  26. ^ Ring TV (31 December 2018). "Moruti Mthalane pounds overmatched Masahiro Sakamoto to 10th round TKO". ringtv.com. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  27. ^ Cocks, Anthony (30 December 2018). "Moruti Mthalane wants to unify flyweight titles with Charlie Edwards after Masahiro Sakamoto defence in Macau on NYE". ringnews24.com. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  28. ^ Wainwright, Anson (6 May 2019). "Masayuki Kuroda: 'I have watched Moruti Mthalane's previous bouts, there is nothing tricky about his style'". ringtv.com. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  29. ^ Christ, Scott (13 May 2019). "Mthalane vs Kuroda results: Moruti Mthalane retains IBF flyweight title with decision win". badlefthook.com. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  30. ^ Glover, Chris (22 December 2019). "Moruti Mthalane Very Confident of Beating Akira Yaegashi". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  31. ^ Christ, Scott (23 December 2019). "Mthalane vs Yaegashi results: Moruti Mthalane stops Akira Yaegashi in war to retain IBF title". badlefthook.com. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  32. ^ Ringside (27 March 2021). "Moruti Mthalane vs. Sunny Edwards world title fight set for April 30". worldboxingnews.net. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  33. ^ Reddy, Luke (30 April 2021). "Sunny Edwards beats Moruti Mthalane to land shock IBF world flyweight title win". bbc.com. Retrieved 18 December 2021.

External links[]

Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Armando Santos 		IBF International flyweight champion
27 October 2017 – 15 July 2018
Won world title 		Vacant
Title next held by
Sunny Edwards
Minor world boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
César Seda 		IBO flyweight champion
15 March 2014 – 2017
Vacated 		Vacant
Title last held by
Maximino Flores
Major world boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Nonito Donaire 		IBF flyweight champion
20 November 2009 – 13 January 2014
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Amnat Ruenroeng
Vacant
Title last held by
Donnie Nietes 		IBF flyweight champion
15 July 2018 – 30 April 2021 		Succeeded by
Sunny Edwards
Retrieved from ""