Sanman’s Mama set to challenge IBF champ Mthalane

CEBU, Philippines — Sanman Gym’s undefeated flyweight contender Jayson “Smasher” Mama (15-0, 8KOs) gets the biggest break of his career as he is set to challenge IBF champion Moruti “Babyface” Mthalane (39-2, 26KOs) on December 20 at the South African’s hometown in Durban.

In his previous bout last February 29 or two weeks before the sports lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, the IBF ranked No.3 Mama scored a smashing third-round knockout of Reymark Taday at the Lagao Gym in General Santos City.

The 23-year-old Mama holds a lot of promise but he must brace himself for an uphill battle against Mthalane. Not only that he’s fighting behind enemy lines against a heavily favored hometown idol, Mama bears a tough task of fighting for the first time outside of Asia.

The 38-year-old Mthalane, on the other hand, will make the fourth defense of his second IBF title reign in the 112-pound division.

Interestingly, Mthalane will be seeing action before his hometown fans for the first time in three years. He seized the crown in Malaysia with a unanimous decision victory over Pakistan’s Muhammad Waseem, and then defended it three times - once in Macao versus Masahiro Sakomoto, and two times in Japan against Masayuki Kuroda and Akira Yaegashi.

Mthalane also boasts of impressive victories over some top caliber opponents including his fellow countryman Zolani Tete and Filipino John Riel Casimero, now a three-division world champion, both via fifth round stoppage.

Given Mthalane’s shining credentials, Mama is in for a lot of work, perhaps needing a miracle to pull off an upset in the most important match of his fistic journey. EBV