Persistence Pays Off For Moruti Mthalane!
Moruti Mthalane (38-2, 25 KOs) makes the third defense of the IBF World Flyweight title against Akira Yaegashi (28-6, 16 KOs) on December 23rd at the Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan.
According to Mthalane’s trainer Colin “Nomakanjani” Nathan, the 37-year-old from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa will be handsomely rewarded. While not disclosing the exact amount of how much his fighter will earn, he did tell the Sowetan Live it will be in the seven-figures.
“Moruti will get the biggest purse money ever in his illustrious career. He will also be able to bank seven figures after paying all the people that must be paid.
“He has waited a very long time to command such huge purses”.
You don’t hear many stories of fighters garnering that kind of money in the lower-weight divisions.
Two realities must be acknowledged. First, if you’re a fighter that small and desire to make serious money, you must go to the Far East. They invest heavily in boxing and are willing to shell out big purses to stage bouts in that part of the world.
No way the champ makes that kind of cash fighting in his native South Africa.
Secondly, the money he will receive to fight Yaegashi is a testament of how patience can pay off. Mthalane is now reaping for standing on his principles earlier in this career.
A prideful man who vacated the IBF Flyweight belt in 2013 after being offended at the purse he was offered to fight then-mandatory challenger Amnat Ruenrong, he refused to devalue his self-worth.
After years of toiling in anonymity, his stock is higher than ever. The veteran’s perseverance is finally paying off!
Check the champ in action December 23 on the undercard of WBA middleweight champion Ryota Murata vs Steven Butler LIVE on ESPN+ at 6:00 AM ET .
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
