Babyface fights for title
MORUTI ‘‘ Babyface ” Mthalane will face Jether ‘‘ The General” Oliva from the Philippines for the International Boxing Organisation (IBO) flyweight title.
Promoter Thulani Magudulela of Ludonga Boxing Promotions said the fight will be at the Durban International Convention Centre on March 15.
“That is all I can share with you for now, ” Magudulela said.
This will be the first IBO title fight in Durban since Simon Ramoni won his junior featherweight belt with a second-round stoppage of American Michael Alldis at the Village Green Hall in December 1998.
Mthalane, 32, will fight for the first time at home since 2003 in his ninth professional bout, when he knocked out Mpumezi Mazantsi in the first round at the Institute of Technology hall in Durban on August 15.
Oliva, 26, is the former World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Oriental minimumweight champion with 20 wins (10 KOs), one loss and two draws.
His last fight was two weeks ago, when he outpointed the experienced Michael Rodriguez over six rounds.
Rodriguez, also from the Philippines, suffered his 38th defeat in 52 fights.
Mthalane, formerly South African undefeated flyweight champion, has 31 fights: 29 wins against two losses.
His fifth defence against Amnat Ruenroeng in Bangkok on January 24 never happened. Mthalane would have earned R120 000.
But the diminutive yet formidable champion, who is under the guidance of respected trainer Nick “Mthakathi ” Durandt, announced last week that he would no longer be going to Thailand because Magudulela had secured him the IBO title fight – which will earn him a R1-million.