Moruti promoter in trouble, says BSA

Soon after hearing that his IBF flyweight title defence set for Durban today had been cancelled, veteran Moruti Mthalane went for a run.

It was partly testament to his professionalism, and was a useful way to vent his frustration. It must have seemed like déjà vu for the hard-working 38-year-old, who has suffered more setbacks than he deserves.

Acting Boxing SA (BSA) CEO Cindy Nkomo told the Sunday Times they would take action against promoter Nokwanda Mbatha.

The promoter allegedly ignored an instruction to cancel the tournament. "We never go into tournament week without purses being paid."

By the time BSA stepped in on Wednesday, it was already too late. Filipino challenger Jayson Mama, oblivious to the unfolding drama, flew into the country that day.

"We will definitely be taking action against the promoter," said Nkomo, who has been trying to repair the damage.

Mthalane and Mama, as well as the fighters in the main supporting bout, Nkululeko Mhlongo and Walter Dlamini, would receive their forfeit payments equalling 10% of their purses.

But there was no money available for the rest of the boxers on the undercard, said Nkomo. "We are trying to make a plan."

The unrepentant promoter declined to talk to the Sunday Times, other than to complain that the cancellation had received more publicity than the ill-fated fight itself. "Why when it is cancelled is it news?"

Mthalane was hurting this week. "I'm very disappointed about it," he said on WhatsApp, replying to an interview request.

"I'm sorry, I have nothing much to say. I'm not ready to talk about this. Can we please talk about it some other time?"

Mthalane is the only SA boxer to have held the same world title both sides of a decade. He won the IBF crown in 2009, but was stripped in 2013 after refusing to defend the belt abroad for a pittance.

Mthalane, who doesn't have a dedicated promoter, reclaimed the strap in 2018 and defended it three times abroad.

There are some good money-earning possibilities for him, including potential unifications.

But first he's supposed to take care of Mama in a mandatory defence.

If the bout now goes to a purse bid, it could be won by a paltry offer - the same road Mthalane travelled seven years ago.

Hopefully it'll be different this time.