| |
|
MTHALANE TKO SAKAMOTO IN 10, RETAINS IBF FLYWEGHT BELT
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 31 Dec 2018
MACAU ? Wily veteran IBF world flyweight champion Moruti Mthalane of South Africa gave his upstart challenger Masahiro Sakamoto a boxing lesson by dominating the Japanese the whole night en route to a 10th round stoppage to retain his belt at the Grand Theater of the Wynn Palace Cotai Monday evening here.
Mthalane (37-2-0, 25KOs) used his outstanding boxing skill to outpoint Sakamoto (13-2-0, 9KOs) every round in a toe-to-toe fight that happened mostly in the center of the ring and without clinching, just plain throwing strategic in your face punches. It was this kind of exchanges that the fighter from South Africa, who captured his first world title in 2009, excelled and homed in lefts and rights to Sakamot's body and head eluding Sakamoto's defenses.
Mthalane piled up points as the rounds progressed but Sakamoto refused to surrender and tried very hard to penetrate Mthalane's solid defenses and sometimes connecting with lefts to the body and rights to the head but these were few and in between.
By the sixth round Mthalane was looking to stop his opponent by landing heavier and crisper blows but the Japanese refused to die and kept on going forward. By the eight round, Mthalane's punishments left marks on Sakamoto's body, inflicting a cut on the right eyebrow and his right eye almost closed. Referee Ignatius Missalidis had the ring physician checked Sakamoto after the 8th round and at the beginning of the 10th round. After Sakamoto received more heavy punches in the 10rh round, the referee decided he had seen enough and stopped the fight for a TKO victory for Mthalane.
Next up.. the main event between Donnie Nietes of the Philippines against Kazuto Ioka of Japan for the vacant WBO world super flyweight championship.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
“The Wonder Boy” Carl Jammes Martin Ready to Shine October 29 at the 50th Anniversary of the Thrilla in Manila (Analysis)
By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 19: JOE FRAZIER FIGHTS ALI, QUARRY AND ELLIS AGAIN
By Maloney L. Samaco, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025Berchelt captures "Reynosa" WBC commemorative belt after triumphant return
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025Supeyia Fights Mamdouh in Brico Santig’s Thailand Show; Elmo Traya and Raymond Yanong Also in Action Oct 25 LIVE on TrillerTV
By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025PIJUS LABUTIS MAKES HISTORY WITH MAIDEN MATCHROOM MAJOR TRIUMPH IN HANOI
, Mon, 13 Oct 2025ARSLANBEK MAKHMUDOV DEFEATS DAVE ALLEN AND DEMANDS TO FACE AJ NEXT
, Sun, 12 Oct 2025Domingo faces Fajardo in Thrilla in Manila 2 Countdown
By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 12 Oct 2025Doroma-Aranas 2 on October 13
By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 12 Oct 2025OFFICIAL WEIGHTS FOR FISTS OF FURY 8, TOMORROW NIGHT AT SEMINOLE HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO HOLLYWOOD
, Sun, 12 Oct 2025Alvin Camique Busts the "Mafia" in Tanzania!!!
By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 12 Oct 2025DAY FOUR: NEUHAUSEN, CAPITO, VERGARA AND LABUTIS CHARGE INTO SEMI-FINALS IN HANOI
, Sun, 12 Oct 2025RED OWL BOXING BOXFEST XVI LIVE ON DAZN RESULTS: DEONTE BROWN DEFEATS GRIMARDI MACHUCA
, Sat, 11 Oct 2025SBA Expands Scouting Tour to Discover New Talents for Season 2 Team Expansion
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 11 Oct 2025Alvin Camigue KOs unbeaten Ibrahin Mafia in Tanzania
By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 11 Oct 2025DARE TO ENTER: ORTIZ VS. LUBIN LESS THAN A MONTH AWAY, GOLDEN BOY ANNOUNCES STACKED PRELIMINARY CARD FEATURING FAN FAVORITES ERIC PRIEST AND ROBIN SAFAR
, Sat, 11 Oct 2025Ennis vs. Lima: Boots is Back in Philly
By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 11 Oct 2025Weigh-in Complete: Philadelphia's Jaron Ennis and Uisma Lima Set for WBA Interim World Title Fight
, Sat, 11 Oct 2025Ronny Alvarez Training Camp Notes Ahead of Most Valuable Prospects 16 on DAZN
, Sat, 11 Oct 2025Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington Featured in Exclusive Global Boxing Network Interview
, Sat, 11 Oct 2025SHEFFIELD WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS ALLEN AND MAKHMUDOV FACE-OFF FOR FINAL TME
, Sat, 11 Oct 2025Manchester says Goodbye to Ricky Hatton
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 11 Oct 2025DAY THREE: CHUA AND GORST KNOCKED OUT AS BIADO, YAPP AND SHAW MARCH INTO LAST 16
, Sat, 11 Oct 2025JARON ‘BOOTS’ ENNIS AND UISMA LIMA PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
, Fri, 10 Oct 2025RED OWL BOXING: BOXFEST XVI – OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS
, Fri, 10 Oct 2025Irish amateur star Jim Donovan Right back in ring after pro debut
, Fri, 10 Oct 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
