IBF bouts signed for SA stars
Negotiations have been finalised for Moruti Mthalane and Zolani Tete to fight in important IBF bouts on September 1.
Promoter Branco Milenkovic announced on Thursday that Mthalane would defend his IBF flyweight title against Ricardo Nunez in Panama City.
On the same day, in Buenos Aires, Tete will take on Roberto Sosa in an eliminator to fight for the IBF junior bantamweight title. Nunez and Sosa are Mexicans.
Milenkovic said it was “a shame” that the two South Africans could not fight at home.
The arrangements for the two fights create a problem for trainer Nick Durandt, who handles both Mthalane and Tete.
"Of course I'd like to be in the corner of both my fighters," Durandt. "But I can't be in two places at the same time. Mthalane is defending his title, so I may go to Panama City."
Mthalane is looking ahead to possible title unification fights and would like to improve his pound-for-pound rating.
But while he and Tete have opportunities to enhance their careers, Milenkovic did not have such good news about Jeffrey Mathebula.
Mathebula surrendered his IBF junior featherweight belt to Nonito Donaire in a title unification title bout in Los Angeles earlier this month.
The South African suffered a broken jaw and needed surgery to have two plates inserted. He won’t be able to train for at least two months, Milenkovic said.
Donaire has contacted Mathebula, saying he was praying for him and sending his best wishes to someone with “the heart of a champion".
