MANAGER BELIEVES OLIVA CAN BEAT MTHALANE AND WIN IBO TITLE
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 13 Mar 2014
Oliva.
While Filipino Jether Oliva?s manager believes his fighter can beat South Africa?s former IBF flyweight champion Moruti Mthalane and win the IBO title when they clash in Durban, South Africa on Sunday, Manila Time, boxing writers in South Africa don?t give Oliva much of a chance.
Well known boxing writer Ron Jackson of Super Sport said ?records show that Oliva remained undefeated in his first 18 fights, fighting little-known opponents in his own country (the Philippines). He then went to Mexico to challenge Ulises Solis for the IBF light flyweight title and was well beaten.?
Jackson noted that since then Oliva ?has won three times and drawn once against boxers with poor records. It seems likely, therefore, that Mthalane will win another belt despite 19 months of inactivity? after retaining his IBF belt in a fight against Ricardo Nunez in Panama City in September 2012.
Despite the fact that Mthalane gave then IBF/IBO champion Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire a tough time in November 2008 before a cut and a bloodied face prompted referee Joe Cortez to call a halt in the 6th round.
Despite the reputation of Mthalane, the manager of Oliva, Jim Claude Manangquil is unfazed. He told Panamanian boxing writer Carlos Costa "In my heart, we have confidence in Jether Oliva's chances against Mthalane. Our boy has skills, youth and heart. We go to South Africa to win and bring glory to our country, the Philippines."
Manangquil added "I must say that our fighter has prepared for this battle for weeks. Jether has trained hard. More than 100 rounds of sparring. We are ready for action. Before, the best weight for Jether Oliva was 108 lbs. But Jether has grown some during the past year. I am positive that he will be fast and strong in South Africa."
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