In Panama this coming weekend we have another over looked world title fight, and one that promises a lot as the IBF Flyweight champion Moruti Mthalane (28-2, 19) defends against Panama's very own hard hitter, Ricardo Nunez (24-2, 20). Whilst I know many fans aren't particularly interested in the Flyweight division (or for that matter any of the smaller divisions) some fights in those divisions have "exciting" written on them, and this is certainly one of them.
South African Mthalane is, like compatriot Nkosinathi Joyi (who defends against Mario Rodriguez on the same night), very under-rated by the international boxing community. This is due to 3 separate reasons firstly his weight (112lbs) which generally doesn't appeal to US, secondly he's not been featured much on US television (thus hiding him from the US TV audience) and thirdly in his only US fight to date he was stopped, on cuts by the highly touted Nonito Donaire. Despite the lack of exposure he is very talented and he does a lot of things very well. Whilst he's not lighting quick, or has dynamite in his fists he is a very solid fighter with a good defense, hurtful power and solid technique as well as excellent composure.
Mthalane made his professional debut way back in 2000 and won his first 14 fights before being shockingly stopped in 2004 by the then national Flyweight champion Nkqubela Gwazela in round 11. Mthalane bounced back well from his first defeat and claimed the South African Flyweight title less than 2 years later by stopping Akhona Aliva in 6 rounds.
Having made a number of defenses of his South African title Mthalane moved into the world level with an excellent victory over former world title challenger Hussein Hussein in an IBF eliminator. Having got the #1 ranking Mthalane went to the US to face the then champion Nonito Donaire. Despite putting up a solid effort against Donaire, Mthalane was cut in round 6 and unfortunately it took the steam out of his attack before the doctor stopped the bout. Prior to the 6th round Mthalane had out landed Donaire and had appeared to have won rounds 4 and 5 as he seriously pushed the highly rated Filipino hard.
Since losing to Donaire, Mthalane has been on a 6 fight winning streak which has seen him claiming the IBF Flyweight title (that had been vacated by Donaire) by defeating the teak tough Julio Cesar Miranda. As well as winning the title Mthalane has made 3 defenses of the belt by defeating fellow South African Zolani Tete (TKO5), current IBF Light Flyweight champion John Riel Casimero (TKO5) and former WBO title challenger challenger Andrea Sarritzu (TKO7). Whilst looking more impressive in every outing. However, despite 3 solid title defences (including beating Sarritzu in Italy) Mthalane has been inactive since October 2011, a notably absence from the ring.
The challenger, Ricardo Nunez, who will be fighting at home will go into this bout with the feeling that he's probably a slight favourite, due to the home field advantage with Mthalane needing to go from South Africa to Panama. Though if he's expecting anything other than a tough night ahead I'd be very surprised.
Nunez debuted back in 2006 and showed some really impressive power and finishing as he stopped his first 6 opponents, 5 of them in the opening round and actually started his career 10-0 (9) before suffering the first loss of his career in 2008. It what could only be described as a giant upset Nunez was stopped by the hard hitting journeyman William De Sousa in just 37 seconds.
Despite suffering his first loss Nunez swiftly rebuilt his career and ran up 7 more wins (6 by T/KO) as he moved to 17-1 (15). Sadly his winning run would again come to an end prematurely, this time at the hands of power and exciting Filipino Drian Francisco who almost beheaded Nunez in round 5 before eventually knocking him out in what turned out to be a real beat down. Despite looking really poor against Francisco (and I mean really poor) Nunez proved his chin as he literally ate power shots from Francisco before finally being laid out.
Since losing to Francisco we've seen Nunez dropping down to Flyweight from Super Flyweight a change that seems to have really helped him rebuild career once again. Nunez is now on a 7 fight winning streak which has seen him stopping 5 opponents including Carlos Tamara the former IBF Light Flyweight champion, a win that helped Nunez to get this world title opportunity.
With an aggressive mindset Nunez is very fun to watch and whilst he's not particularly quick he has has a must watch style of fighting. Not only does Nunez have genuinely hurtful power but he also really likes to let his hands go with a bit of a reckless abandon at times and whilst his defense is sloppy (to say the least) he appears to be able to take a solid shot or two, in fact from the number of shots he took from Francisco he can take an awful lot of flush shots. He appears to like to grind opponents down and whilst having heavy hands he's probably not quite what you'd term as a concussive puncher, certainly not at the top level.
Despite the fact Nunez will have the crowd behind him I just don't think that'll be enough to win him the bout. Mthalane is the more talented fighter, he's much more defensively sound, more technical in the ring and whilst possible not quite as powerful he's more likely to land his blows cleanly than Nunez. Whilst a decision would likely favour Nunez I don't see it going that far as I don't think Nunez will be able to cope with the hard accurate counters of Mthalane.
Prediction-Mthalane TKO8
Interestingly in the same division just weeks later the WBA "super" title and the WBO title will be unified as Hernan "Tyson" Maruqez (34-2, 25) faces Brian Viloria (31-3-0-3, 18), a bout between the winners would be a huge fight for the division and the sort of bout that would deserve a major TV slot in the US.
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