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."
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
The Past Week in Action 21 April 2025: Fundora KOs Badillo, Retains Undisputed Belts; Smith UD Germain; Kovalev Returns with a Win
By Eric Armit, Tue, 22 Apr 2025Bantamweight Anthony Garnica Scores TKO Against Aston Palicte to Remain Undefeated
Tue, 22 Apr 2025Higher Seeds New York, Denver Fall in Playoffs Second Games to Detroit Pistons, LA Clippers
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 22 Apr 2025Young Gildo: The Baguio Bearcat
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Tue, 22 Apr 2025Filipino International Master Paulo Bersamina places solo runner-up in the 22nd Bangkok Chess Club Open in Thailand
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 22 Apr 2025Female Amateur Boxing Star Sar’ai Brown-El Signs with Split-T Management
Tue, 22 Apr 2025Apolinario to fight Hu in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 21 Apr 2025Warriors Shoot Down Rockets, 95-85 as Celtics, Cavaliers, Thunder Take Care of Business
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 21 Apr 20252025 USA Boxing International Open Finalized on Saturday
Mon, 21 Apr 2025Verano to face Thai in Clash of Nations on April 24
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 21 Apr 2025Masangkay to fight Ocampo in JAS on April 23
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 20 Apr 2025Denver Holds Off LA Clippers in OT, 112-110
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sun, 20 Apr 2025Arca clinches 3rd and final IM norm; Guns for GM norm in last round
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 20 Apr 2025IN HER GOLDEN GIRL ERA: GABRIELA “SWEET POISON” FUNDORA SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDS UNDISPUTED TITLE AGAINST MARILYN BADILLO
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Fundora Retains Undisputed Flyweight Titles; Perez Shocks Conwell in Oceanside
Sun, 20 Apr 2025