UNBEATEN prospect Jayson Mama is excited for what he believes is the greatest moment of his boxing career, a world championship fight with International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight champion Moruti Mthlane on Dec. 20 at the Olive Convention Centre in Durban, South Africa.
“I can’t wait to step in the ring with a great champion like Mthalane. It will be an honor to fight for a world title and represent my country. This is it, my greatest moment,” the 23-year-old Mama said.
Mama and his trainer Ronrex Dalut left for South Africa last Dec. 14, 2020 in an attempt to give the Philippines another world champion. The Philippines currently has four world champions—World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight Super champion Manny Pacquiao, World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight king Johnriel Casimero, IBF super flyweight titleholder Jerwin Ancajas and IBF minimumweight champion Pedro Taduran.
Mama is one of the promising young fighters from Pacquiao’s hometown in General Santos City. He fights out of the famed Sanman Boxing Gym that is home to some of the best boxers in the Philippines, the likes of Reymart Gaballo, Mike Plania, Aston Palicte, Romero Duno and Randy Petalcorin.
In just four years as a pro, Mama has been very impressive. The highlights of his short and budding boxing career are his wins over former WBA minimumweight champion Ekkawit Songnui and two-time world title challenger Fahlan Sakkreerin Jr.
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“I trained so hard for this and will not let this opportunity slip away. Please pray for my success. I did my part in the gym. I know God will do the rest,” said Mama.
Mama is the highest ranked fighter in the IBF at No. 3. The top two spots are currently vacant. ADVERTISEMENT
Mthalane has been a staple in the flyweight division for more than a decade now. He fought in his first world title fight in 2008, when Mama was just 11 years old. Mthalane challenged then IBF and International Boxing Organization (IBO) flyweight king Nonito Donaire Jr. and lost via a sixth round technical knockout. The following year, he once again fought for the IBF belt and won the vacant title with a unanimous decision over Julio Cesar Miranda. He had four successful title defenses, which include notable stoppage wins over Casimero and Zolani Tete.
After losing his IBF belt due to a long layoff after his 2012 win over Ricardo Nunez, Mthalane reclaimed the belt in 2018 with a unanimous decision over Muhammad Waseem. He already has three successful title defenses in his second reign as IBF flyweight champion. His latest win is a ninth round technical knockout win over former world champion Akira
Yaegashi.
Mama is 15-0 with eight knockouts, while the 38-year-old Mthlane is 39-2 with 26 knockouts. / EKA
