Pinoy boxer Renz Rosia battles ex-Donaire foe for IBO title

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino fighter Renz Rosia will have the opportunity to vie for a world title as he challenges IBO flyweight champion Moruti Mthalane in his home-turf of Durban, South Africa on November 28.

The 12-round flyweight championship clash was confirmed to Rappler by Rosia’s manager Ryan Gabriel, but the venue is yet to be determined.

Rosia (12-3, 6 knockouts) is coming off a tenth-round stoppage of compatriot Renan Trongco to capture the WBC International flyweight title this past August.

This is not the first overseas trip of the 27-year-old native of Cadiz City, Negros Occidental this year as Rosia also strutted his wares in South Africa last April, but he was outpointed by Makazole Tete.

On the other hand, Mthalane (31-2, 20 KOs) is riding high on an eight-bout winning streak since yielding to Nonito Donaire Jr. via sixth-round technical knockout in November 2008.

During the aforementioned victory march, the 33-year-old South African was able to claim the vacant IBF flyweight strap with a decision win over Julio Cesar Miranda in November 2009 and had successfully defended it four times, which included a triumph over John Riel Casimero.

However, he vacated the IBF flyweight championship after failing to come to terms with then-mandatory challenger Amnat Ruenroeng.

Mthalane was last seen in action last year when he edged out another Pinoy pugilist in Jether Oliva by split decision for the available IBO flyweight title in March before he routed Odilon Zaleta to defend the belt via 12-round verdict seven months later. – Rappler.com