| |
|
Moruti Mthalane Decisions Masayuki Kuroda, Retains IBF Flyweight Belt in Tokyo, Japan
By Carlos Costa PhilBoxing.com Tue, 14 May 2019

A successful second world title defense for the veteran. South African IBF Flyweight World Champion Moruti "Baby Face" Mthalane (38-2, 25 KO's) scored a unanimous decision win over Japanese warrior Masayuki Kuroda (30-8-3, 16 KO's) to retain his shining red and golden belt today, Monday, May 13, at the famed Korakue Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
The experienced Moruti Mthalane made good use his ring savvy and toughness to deal with the strong Kuroda, a warrior made of steel.
Official tallies were 116-112 (twice) and 117-111 all in favor of the 36-year-old tough fighter from the land of Nelson Mandela.
With the win, Mthalane successfully gets a foothold on his new reign as IBF 112-pound king, vowing to be ready for any other tough challenger or fellow champion anytime, anywhere.
Mthalane is trained by his longtime friend, award-winning South African coach Colin Nathan.
On the losing corner, Masayuki Kuroda, again falls short of conquering a world title. Six years ago the fully-committed boxer Kuroda tried hard to win a belt in his battle against then champion Juan Carlos Reveco, losing by points. Same this time.
Still, the brave Masayuki Kuroda, 32, who ended the war with a swollen, almost shut right eye -- hurtful evidence of Mthalane's accurate counter left hooks -- is Japan's flyweight national champion.
The Mthalane vs Kuroda rumble for the IBF Flyweight world title today Monday, May 13, was a production of promoter Shosei Nitta of Kawasaki Nitta Promotions.
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:
Six Rounds to Silence the Magic Man: Why Rolando Dy is Malignaggi’s Worst Nightmare By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Mon, 11 May 2026The Eternal Contender: Inside Nonito Donaire’s Record-Breaking Title Run By Dong Secuya, , Mon, 11 May 2026Boxing trio reunited up there By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 11 May 20261st CK Ingles Chess Kings Set to Kick Off By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 11 May 2026Zhu Outguns "The Assassin" Ian Abne in Cebu Thriller, Earns Shot at IBF Champ Taduran By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 10 May 2026Arañas Survives Harsh Knockdown, Stops Noynay to Claim WBF Strap in Cebu (Fist of Fury X Results) By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 10 May 2026Mindoro faces strong Mexican opponent By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 10 May 2026Blood, Grit, and Iron: Zhu Outlasts Abne in a Cebu War By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 10 May 2026Tickets ON SALE NOW for Abdullah Mason-Joe Cordina at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center , Sat, 09 May 2026IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia bags gold in ASEAN E-Sports chess qualifying round By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 09 May 2026Wardley vs Dubois: Heavyweight Tussle in Manchester By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 09 May 2026Fireworks Expected as Cebu's Arañas and Noynay Rumble for WBF Silver Belt By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 09 May 2026Keyshawn Davis: "Nahir Albright’s Going To Be the Fourth Guy I Stop in a Row!" , Sat, 09 May 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Cinco De Mayo, A Historic Celebration Of Boxing By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Fri, 08 May 2026Abne, Zhu Make Weight for IBF Eliminator in Cebu; Winner Fights Taduran By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 08 May 2026IBA presents stacked fight card for May 21 event in Mexico City , Fri, 08 May 2026Laurente to promote amateur boxing By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 08 May 2026Heavyweight Gustavo Trujillo Has a New Date Returns May 30 at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale , Fri, 08 May 2026Toro Promotions & Whitfield Haydon Officially Announce ‘Sizzling Summer Boxing Series’ , Fri, 08 May 2026Jean Henri Lhuillier Drives ASAPHIL’s Winning System Through Long-Term Vision and Coaching Continuity By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 08 May 2026Dy ready to face Malignaggi in BKB on May 16 By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 07 May 2026‘A younger lion always comes for that old lions spot. Your time is up, GET OUT OF MY WAY! – Manny Ritti challenges former ONE FC World Champion Nobutsu Suzuki May 29 in Perth – Thunderdome 54 , Thu, 07 May 2026Kenia Enriquez Signs Multi-Year Contract with Latin KO Promotions , Thu, 07 May 2026FM Habla, Madriaga win Armageddon for IIEE-PSME Quezon City in PCAP By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 07 May 2026Undefeated heavyweight prospect Pryce Taylor Graduates to 10-rounder this Saturday in Atlanta , Thu, 07 May 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|