| |
|
Moruti Mthalane Defends Against Masayuki Kuroda Monday in Tokyo, Japan
By Carlos Costa PhilBoxing.com Mon, 13 May 2019

Mthalane and Kuroda ready to rumble. South African IBF Flyweight World Champion Moruti "Baby Face" Mthalane (37-2, 25 KO's) and world-ranked local warrior Masayuki Kuroda (30-7-3, 16 KO's) are set to lock horns for Mthalane's title today, Monday May 13, at the famed Korakue Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
The veteran Mthalane, 36, aims at extending his new reign as IBF 112-pound king after stopping Masahiro Sakamoto in ten chapters for a successful first defense last new year's eve in Macao.
Meanwhile, the challenger Kuroda, Japan's successful flyweight national champion, do not want to let pass his second shot at a world title.
Six years ago, a younger Kuroda challenged then WBA Flyweight world champion Juan Carlos Reveco, losing the twelve chapters battle by points.
Will this time the fully-committed Masayuki Kuroda, 32, make his dream come true?
Or will brave-heart, experienced Moruti Mthalane employ his ring savvy and toughness to deal with Kuroda, the same way he dealt with Sakamoto five months ago?
The outcome of the Mthalane vs Kuroda IBF fight might be of interest to Filipino boxing fans as three Pinoy fighters are ranked by the IBF in this flyweight division:
Hard-punching 24-year-old Giemel Magramo (23-1, 19 KO's) of Para?aque, Metro Manila, is IBF # 5.
21-year-old unbeaten Gensan flyweight Jayson Mama (12-0, 9 KO's) of the popular Sanman Boxing Gym is IBF # 10.
And 23-year-old Ronnie Baldonado (14-1-1, 9 KO's) of Carmen, Cotabato del Norte, is IBF # 11.
The Mthalane vs Kuroda rumble for the IBF Flyweight world title is a production of promoter Shosei Nitta of Kawasaki Nitta Promotions.
May the Best Man Win.
The author Carlos Costa is a Panama boxing reporter living in the Philippines. Carlos can be reached at carlos512@hotmail.com and whatsapp/viber/wechat: +639184538152.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Doors open for Manny By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026MEXICAN TITANS GO HEAD-TO-HEAD HIGHLIGHTING CINCO DE MAYO WEEKEND IN LAS VEGAS! , Tue, 24 Feb 2026Alex Bray and Gabriela Tellez Capture WBA Titles, Dainier Pero Scores Impressive Stoppage at “Night of Champions XIV” in Orlando , Tue, 24 Feb 2026Cebuana Lhuillier Gems Officially Join Inaugural Pickle Yard Conference League By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026ADAMES AND AMMO CLASH FOR WORLD TITLE IN ORLANDO ON MARCH 21 , Tue, 24 Feb 2026Filipino Alexis Emil Maribao shocks Indonesian Grandmaster Susanto Megaranto in the Manny Pacquiao International Open Chess opener By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026Team USA Notches Perfect Day to Open 77th International Strandja Boxing Tournament , Tue, 24 Feb 2026Floyd Mayweather Vs. Manny Pacquiao Set for Blockbuster Professional Rematch Streaming Live Globally on Netflix Saturday, September 19 , Tue, 24 Feb 2026Zulueta, Bactol, Dologuin, Almacen Score Knockout Wins in Thailand (PHOTOS) By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026Francisco wins PBF flyweight title By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026San Diego’S Boxing Stars Julius Ballo and Jonny Mansour to Headline the Inaugural Edition of Sd Fight Night on April 18, 2026, at Frontwave Arena , Tue, 24 Feb 2026Influencer Brooklyn Barwick Fighting for NBA Americas title , Tue, 24 Feb 2026Integrated Sports to distribute ‘The MGM Slam Presented by Capital One PPV’ on Sunday, March 1 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas , Tue, 24 Feb 2026125 climbers reach Mt. Apo in Sta. Cruz By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026Opening Round Bouts Set for Team USA at 77th International Strandja Boxing Tournament , Mon, 23 Feb 2026Jean Henri Lhuillier Expresses Pride as Cebuana Lhuillier-Backed Blu Girls Secure Wild Card Entry to WBSC World Cup By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 23 Feb 20262026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Set to Compete at Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria , Sun, 22 Feb 2026SMEP, SAEP round 6 standoff in PTC WED NEMO 4th D’ Engineers Chess Cup By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 22 Feb 2026Late Valentine’s gift for Lover Boy By Joaquin Henson, , Sat, 21 Feb 2026“Prince” Albert Pagara Heads to Perth, Australia, for WBC Australasia Title Fight By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 21 Feb 2026BARRIOS vs GARCIA (FIGHT ANALYSIS) By Ralph Rimpell, , Sat, 21 Feb 2026FLOYD MAYWEATHER UNRETIRES , Sat, 21 Feb 2026WBC Introduces new award "WBC Main Event" world championship Chain & Pendant By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 21 Feb 2026WOOD-WARRINGTON II OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED FOR SOLD-OUT REMATCH IN NOTTINGHAM , Sat, 21 Feb 2026"Rompete la Madre" documentary is now in the Mexican theaters By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 21 Feb 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|