Moruti Mthalane wins IBF title in Japan despite having his face flattened

IT WAS flush and flat but far from final for Moruti Mthalane.

This is the incredible moment the South African flyweight was caught clean in the face during his IBF title fight with Masayuki Kuroda – before coming back to win!

AFP or licensors

South African boxer Moruti Mthalane had his face flattened but came back to win the bout[/caption]

With his lips contorted and nose crooked, 36-year-old Mthalane had his face rearranged by Japan’s Kuroda during a bloody war in Tokyo.

The flush left hand came early on during an onslaught by 33-year-old Masayuki, the mandatory challenger for the IBF title.

But the remarkable moment appeared to make Mthalane mad as he went on to give his opponent a gruelling beating in the final rounds.

Masayuk finished the fight with his right eye closed and blood pouring from his left.

There was no doubt whose arm was set to be raised.

Mthalane, who won by unanimous decision, said: “I’m feeling very much happy because today I defended my best.

“Kuroda kept working. He wanted the belt and gave his best as a challenger.”

This is Mthalane’s second time as champion, having held the belt between 2009 and 2013.

AFP