Moruti Mthalane Defends Against Masayuki Kuroda Monday in Tokyo, Japan
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 13 May 2019
Mthalane and Kuroda ready to rumble. South African IBF Flyweight World Champion Moruti "Baby Face" Mthalane (37-2, 25 KO's) and world-ranked local warrior Masayuki Kuroda (30-7-3, 16 KO's) are set to lock horns for Mthalane's title today, Monday May 13, at the famed Korakue Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
The veteran Mthalane, 36, aims at extending his new reign as IBF 112-pound king after stopping Masahiro Sakamoto in ten chapters for a successful first defense last new year's eve in Macao.
Meanwhile, the challenger Kuroda, Japan's successful flyweight national champion, do not want to let pass his second shot at a world title.
Six years ago, a younger Kuroda challenged then WBA Flyweight world champion Juan Carlos Reveco, losing the twelve chapters battle by points.
Will this time the fully-committed Masayuki Kuroda, 32, make his dream come true?
Or will brave-heart, experienced Moruti Mthalane employ his ring savvy and toughness to deal with Kuroda, the same way he dealt with Sakamoto five months ago?
The outcome of the Mthalane vs Kuroda IBF fight might be of interest to Filipino boxing fans as three Pinoy fighters are ranked by the IBF in this flyweight division:
Hard-punching 24-year-old Giemel Magramo (23-1, 19 KO's) of Para?aque, Metro Manila, is IBF # 5.
21-year-old unbeaten Gensan flyweight Jayson Mama (12-0, 9 KO's) of the popular Sanman Boxing Gym is IBF # 10.
And 23-year-old Ronnie Baldonado (14-1-1, 9 KO's) of Carmen, Cotabato del Norte, is IBF # 11.
The Mthalane vs Kuroda rumble for the IBF Flyweight world title is a production of promoter Shosei Nitta of Kawasaki Nitta Promotions.
May the Best Man Win.
The author Carlos Costa is a Panama boxing reporter living in the Philippines. Carlos can be reached at carlos512@hotmail.com and whatsapp/viber/wechat: +639184538152.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
World Boxing Announces Elite Division World Rankings
Sun, 19 Oct 2025BEN WHITTAKER PRESS CONFERENCE: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AS NEW MATCHROOM SIGNING MEETS GAVAZI – PLUS: VUONG vs GWYNNE II
Sun, 19 Oct 2025BIADO, YAPP, AND DUONG POWER TEAM ASIA TO THE BRINK OF GLORY
Sat, 18 Oct 2025Prado, Catubig dominate DTI Run
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 18 Oct 2025YORK HALL FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS: GEORGE LIDDARD MAKES HISTORY TO BECOME THE YOUNGEST EVER BRITISH MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION
Sat, 18 Oct 2025Usyk in Bare Knuckle event?
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 18 Oct 2025IIEE Singapore tops National Chess Olympiad, Quezon City Simba's Tribe wins 2 matches in PCAP
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 18 Oct 2025Liddard Destroys Conway to Claim British Middleweight Title, Becomes Youngest-Ever Champion
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 18 Oct 2025Keiron Conway vs George Liddard: Unbeaten Prospect Faces Stiff Challenge
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 18 Oct 2025Alicaba to fight for WBC Asian Continental super fly
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 18 Oct 2025DAY TWO: STARBOY MANAS STEALS THE SHOW AS TEAM ASIA EXTENDS PERFECT RUN
Sat, 18 Oct 2025MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS INTRODUCES CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AND VICE PRESIDENT TONY COHEN
Sat, 18 Oct 2025Joseph Subia Signs with Wise Owl Boxing
Sat, 18 Oct 2025Sirimongkhol, Midgley Make Weight for WBF World Title in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 17 Oct 2025ICTSI South Pacific on Oct. 28-31
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 17 Oct 2025