MATHEBULA TO BE OPERATED ON FOR A BROKEN JAW
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 11 Jul 2012
Former IBF super bantamweight champion Jeffrey Mathebula is to be operated on for a broken jaw suffered in his unification title fight against WBO champion Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire at the Home Depot Center in Carson City last July 7.
The California Boxing Commission doctor who examined Mathebula after the fight initially diagnosed the discomfort as being caused by a broken tooth.
However, the Manila Standard reported Mathebula was suspected of suffering a broken jaw which was confirmed when the former world champion was examined on his return home to South Africa.
The fighter?s well known promoter Branco Milenkovic who returned to South Africa on Monday from Los Angeles confirmed that ?Mongoose? has been booked to undergo surgery.
Branco confirmed ?We initially thought that it was tooth problem but it is in fact a broken jaw.?
Milenkovic noted that fighting with a broken jaw against the universally recognised fifth rated pound for pound star makes Mathebula?s performance even more heroic especially after highly respected American fighter Victor Ortiz opted to quit in his corner when his jaw was broken during his welterweight clash against Joselito Lopez just a fortnight ago.
Milenkovic said he was proud of the gusty display of his fighter in the HBO-televised main bout especially in the wake of his unexpected injury.
The promoter revealed that ?Mathebula could not speak after the fourth round, which underlines the pain he was feeling but he did not let everyone see it because he wanted to fight on like the true soldier he is.?
Milenkovic said that South African judge Deon Dwarte had Donaire the winner by a ?shocking? 119-108 scorecard while judge Jonathan Davis had Donaire winning 117-110 with Steve Morrow turning in a 118-109 scorecard.
However, Ring Magazine, boxingscene.com and HBO which televised the fight saw a much closer fight t 115-112 even though Donaire scored a fourth round knockdown where Mathebula was saved by the bell.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Donaire in historic bid
By Joaquin Henson, Thu, 06 Nov 2025BROADCAST DETAILS ANNOUNCED FOR CMH2: BADOU JACK VS. NOEL MIKAELIAN
Thu, 06 Nov 2025Top prospect Marco Romero A victim of dramatic changes in Today’s professional boxing world
Thu, 06 Nov 2025Closing of registration on Nov. 15 for SDSPPO TWG-PAGPTD Run in Tandag
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 06 Nov 2025Rafael Espinoza-Arnold Khegai & Tenshin Nasukawa-Takuma Inoue Blockbuster Cards to Stream LIVE on Top Rank Classics FAST Channel
Thu, 06 Nov 2025JUSTIN LACEY-PIERCE OUTLASTS COURTNEY PENNINGTON IN DETROIT
Wed, 05 Nov 2025The José Sulaimán Boxers’ Fund continues supporting fighters worldwide
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 05 Nov 2025NBA Daily: Sans Injured Young, Hawks Still Dominate Magic 127-112
By Reylan Loberternos, Wed, 05 Nov 2025Kamatyas FIDE Rapid chess on Nov 8
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 05 Nov 2025WBC lifts the suspension imposed on Ryan Garcia
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 05 Nov 2025Siargao pug bags silver in Batang Pinoy
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 05 Nov 2025Marcial-Colmenares Middleweight Bout Steals Show at Thrilla in Manila 50th Year (Part 2 of 2)
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 05 Nov 2025Brown vs. Seldin for the WBA Super Lightweight Interim World Title
Wed, 05 Nov 2025FRANCIS LAFRENIÈRE MAKES COMEBACK NOV 29
Wed, 05 Nov 2025OLYMPIC MEDALIST YUBERJEN MARTINEZ INKS WITH ALL STAR BOXING
Wed, 05 Nov 2025