A little-known but gutsy Filipino fighter is traveling more than 30 hours, including layovers in two cities, next month as he bids to become the International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight king.
Ranked third in the world, Jayson “Smasher” Mama challenges proud titlist Moruti Mthalane of South Africa on 20 December at the Olive Convention Center in Durban.
To get to Durban from the Philippines, Mama and his trainers — lead cornerman Ronerex Dalut and assistant Jefti Timasa — will kick off the back-breaking journey by taking an hour and 30 minute flight to Manila from General Santos City.
From Manila, Mama’s party will fly to the Qatari capital of Doha where it will catch a connecting flight to Johannesburg for the one hour and 10 minute hop to Durban.
JC Mananquil, who manages and promotes Mama, told Daily Tribune that his fighter and the trainers are required to undergo a ten-day quarantine upon landing in Johannesburg.
“The only time they will be allowed to go out will be during the official weighin and during the day of the fight,” Mananquil said.
Mama (15-0 with eight KOs) is facing tremendous odds in dethroning Mthalane (39-2 with 26 KOs).
Mthalane has fought seven Filipinos, losing only to Nonito Donaire in 2008 but he holds a stoppage win over John Riel Casimero in 2011. Casimero is now the reigning World Boxing Organization bantamweight titleholder.
But Mama, who has been neck-deep in training, insists he can get the job done and end up joining Manny Pacquiao, Jerwin Ancajas, Pedro Taduran and Casimero as the country’s elite roster of world champions.
Mananquil, too, is upbeat.
“Jayson’s training long and hard and he knows this is his moment to shine,” Mananquil said, noting that age is not on the champion’s side.
“You’ll never know what’s gonna happen. You know he might get old overnight. We’ll never know,” he said.
But Mama, just 23, is relying too much on Mthalane suddenly showing up like an old man.
“Of course, Jayson knows he has to be in terrific shape and he’ll be ready for Mthalane,” he added.
Mthalane is making the fourth defense of the IBF 112-lb crown and is one year removed from his last fight by the time he answers the bell against the ambitious Filipino challenger.
