Moruti Mthalane produced an outstanding performance to retain his IBF flyweight belt for the second time with a unanimous 12-round points decision over No 4-ranked Masayuki Kuroda of Japan at the Korkuen Hall in Tokyo on Monday.
Judges Neville Hotz and Masakasa Murase both scored it 116-112 while judge Ian Scott had the bout 117-112. The South African dominated from the opening round against the rangier and taller Kuroda as he scored with stinging shots throughout.
The win improves 36-year-old Mthalane’s record to 38 wins and 2 losses with 25 knockouts while Kuroda’s record dropped to 30 wins 8 losses and 3 draws with 16 knockouts.