Battle lines drawn for Super Fight blast-off
THE proposed super fight between IBO world champions Gideon Buthelezi and Moruti Mthalane may come to fruition if certain issues are ironed out.
This was revealed by Buthelezi’s promoter Ayanda Matiti of Xaba Promotions and Events as anticipation gathers steam, with top Johannesburg promoter Rodney Berman entering the fray.
Berman, who is not contracted to either fight, wrote on social media about the potential fireworks the fight would produce and hinted at including it in his August tournament.
His sentiments stem from Mthalane’s destruction of Filipino Genesis Labranza to retain his IBO flyweight crown a fortnight ago. This despite being inactive for over a year due to promotional issues.
On the other hand Buthelezi was only in action a few weeks earlier when he retained his IBO junior-bantamweight crown with a dominant points decision over Angel Aviles.
Boxing Mecca bumped onto Buthelezi after his fight in Mangaung when he attended Ludumo Lamati’s challenge of the SA junior-featherweight title to Bongani Mahlangu, who he dethroned three weeks ago.
“Yes, Mthalane is keen to fight me according to what he said after his fight,” said Buthelezi.
There is a proposed catchweight for the fight to materialise, with both titles not on stake.
Matiti says as he is the legitimate promoter of Buthelezi, who will be making a sacrifice by agreeing to come down to weight, he would lead the promotion of the fight.
“As far as I know Rodney does not have a contract with Mthalane, but even if he had Buthelezi cannot challenge for Mthalane’s IBO title but Mthalane can challenge for Buthelezi’s IBO crown if the IBO approves.”
Already Matiti is engaging the IBO for the way forward, failing which the fight will be settled in the catchweight.
Mthalane, who is one of the boxers who were made champions by the late Nick Durandt, is now training with Colin Nathan under whom he beat Libranza.
He nearly joined Berman while he was still under Durandt, but allegations of demands put ice on the deal.
The fight has also piqued interest from SuperSport, which is able to do business with both promoters.
But Matiti is not getting ahead of himself as the boxers are yet to sign the fight contract.
“We have options for Buthelezi if the fight does not come through.” — Boxing Mecca