Unbeaten Filipino Mama targets Mthalane’s world title

Filipino prospect Jayson Mama aims to shock the world when he challenges Moruti Mthalane for the International Boxing Federation flyweight crown on December 20 in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Though the 23-year-old Mama is unbeaten (15-0, 8 knockouts), he’ll be the huge underdog against the 38-year-old Mthalane, who holds a 39-2 record with 26 knockouts and is hailed as among the greatest South African fighters of all time.

It will be a big step-up in competition for Mama, pride of General Santos City’s Sanman Promotions, whose claim to fame was when he ruled the IBF Silk Road tournament over Thai Teeraphong Utaida in Beijing in 2019.

Mthalane, however, occupies another level as he has beaten elite 112-campaigners, including current WBO bantamweight king Johnriel Casimero in 2011 and former two-division world champion Zolani Tete in 2010. Both Casimero and Tete lasted 5 rounds against Mhalane.

Fighting in his hometown for the first time and in his country in 3 years, Mthalane is out to put on a show for his countrymen.

Mthalane demolished Filipino Ardin Diale in 2 rounds at home in 2017. 

After being stopped by “Filipino Flash” Nonito Donaire in 2008, Mthalane has chalked 16 straight victories, the last via a ninth-round stoppage of Akira Yaegashi in Yokohama, Japan, on December 23, 2019.

Mthalane turned pro in 2000 and has undergone a total of 248 rounds, over 3 times than that of Mama who has lodged 79 rounds since turning pro in 2016.

While Mama is half an inch taller at 5-foot-4, Mthalane boasts a substantial 6-inch reach advantage. – Rappler.com