By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Comparatively tiny but talented Moruti Mthalane (23-2, 16 KO's) will fight for the IBF title relinquished by the man who beat him via a 6th round TKO when the South African was cut above the eye and his nose bloodied in a title fight last November 1.
Mthalane lost to Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire who decided to move up to super flyweight since he was having trouble making the flyweight limit of 112 pounds and relinquished both his IBF and IBO titles enabling Mthalane to get a shot at the vacant title against Mexico' s Julio Cesar Miranda (31-9-3, 20 KO's).
Well-known South African promoter Branco Milenkovic has reportedly started negotiating with his counterpart Fernando Beltran of Mexico to decide on the date of the title fight as well as the venue.
Donaire did not refuse to defend the belt against Mthalne as claimed by South African media but merely moved up in weight and will fight Rafael "El Torito" Concepcion for the WBA super flyweight interim title on August 15 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas in an exciting fight card titled "Pinoy Power 2" presented by Top Rank promoter Bob Arum.
Mthalane was once again installed as the mandatory challenger after scoring a 3rd round knockout over Lehlohonolo Ramagole to win the South African flyweight title last April 18.
Miranda who was ranked No.8 by the IBF earned the right to fight for the title when he scored a first round knockout over countryman Erik Ortiz who was ranked No. 5, in a title eliminator last July 11.
