A Japanese Boxing event filled with controversy ended with a South African veteran Moruti Mthalane defending his title.
Not only Mthalane was disrespected in the fight but also his country when the Japanese played the old colonial anthem in place of the South African one.
Things started with Mthalane being forced to go first to the ring while the home town favorite followed.
Mthalane was undetered as he made sure that the Japanese, Masayuki Kuroda paid for the disrespect. By the end of the fight Masayuki Kuroda had a cut on the left eye and his right eye was shut. This was all a testimony of the hard work and manhandling he suffered at the hands of Mthalane.
Mthalane’s corner did not pay any attention of the events as they seem to be underestimating the damage this had to the country. An anthem is a national symbol and botching or replacing it is a declaration of war. At the time of writing there was little action taken by Boxing South Africa and the ministry of sports to address the situation.
Mthalane’s 19 year old career has seen him fighting most of his life on the road and in 40 fights he only has 2 losses.
Judges scored the fight as follows: 116-112, and 117-112 all in favour of Mthalane. At the end of the fight Mthalane won by Unanimous decision.
