By Ronnie Nathanielsz

South Africa’s Moruti “Baby Face”  Mthalane who faces Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire in a mandatory battle for Donaire’s IBF title says he is “super fit and ready to rumble” in their bout at the Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel and Casino on November 1.

Mthalane has been working hard at the gym of trainer Nick Durandt who will delay his own departure for Las Vegas as he will be working the corner of Manelisi Leli Mbilase in a South African featherweight title fight against Thando Vukuza on Friday night.

Mthalane is en route to the US with assistant trainer Kenneth Mabunda.

Durandt revealed that Mthalane won’t travel with any sparring partners  since he has already done enough sparring in preparation for the Donaire title fight.

Some of the fighters who have been helping Mthalane prepare for the title fight include former world junior bantamweight champion Masibulele “Hawk” Makepula, IBO bantamweight champion Silence Mabuza and WBC International junior bantamweight champion Evans Mbamba. 

The trainer predicted that the “first five rounds will be crucial as Donaire is most dangerous in those rounds.” However, he said if Mthalane “can win some of the early rounds  and then launch a full-scale attack, he will easily beat Donaire.”

Mthalane was impressive in his lopsided twelve round decision over Australia ’s Hussein Hussein in an IBF title eliminator and even won the respect of Donaire who said he was a superbly fit fighter and is someone who would keep coming at you all the time.

The Filipino said he was prepared for anything Mthalane brings to the fight.