Moruti Mthalane successfully defends his IBF title
IBF Flyweight Champion Moruti Mthalane (37-2, 25KOs) retains his title in spectacular fashion by stopping Masahiro Sakamoto (13-2, 9KOs) in ten rounds.
Mthalane has been on one historic streak since losing to then champion Nonito Donaire in 2008. As he result, he captured both the IBO and IBF titles while winning fourteen fights in a row. One of his wins was a fifth round knockout over current WBO bantamweight champion Zolani Tete.
Additionally, Mthalane had a huge win against highly touted prospect Muhammad Waseem in a fight many thought he would lose. The win granted him the IBF flyweight tile for a second time.
Sakamoto has won five fights in row capturing the WBO Asia Pacific Flyweight title. He is known to be a tough as nails blood and guts type opponent.
This was the perfect recipe for an all-action, fan-friendly fight as both men would leave it all in the ring. The pace was furious in back and forth action as both men were landing punches with mean intentions.
In the beginning of the fight, it was the challenger that was taking the fight to the champion behind fierce combination punching.
However, as the saying goes “there are two halves to a boxing match.”
The champion reminded the challenger of this, in the second half, breaking down the opponent with punishing combinations.
It would eventually lead to the referee halting the fight in the tenth round. The challenger put forth an valiant effort losing in his first world title bid.
What’s Next For Mthalane?
Well it’s being rumored that newly crowned WBC champion Charlie Edwards is interested in a unification match-up in 2019. Given his performance against Cristofer Rosales, Edwards would be a game opponent for the 36 year-old champion.
These are the reason why more attention should be given to the lower weight division. They are willing to step up and give us great fights.
By: Garrisson Bland
