Mthalane Retains IBF Belt Over Sarritzu In Italy

IBF flyweight champion Moruti Mthalane retained his 112 pound title with a stirring performance against Andrea Sarritzu at Pala Rockefeller in Caligari, Italy on Friday night.

South Africa’s Mthalane went onto Sardinian resident Sarritzu’s home turf in putting his IBF crown at risk for the third time since winning the belt against Julio Cesar Miranda two years ago.

Two-time European titlist Sarritzu was making his first world title challenge since drawing with WBO kingpin Omar Andres Narvaez in 2003.

Sarritzu used his veteran experience to keep the champion at a distance during the early rounds, boxing and moving well. Mthalane tested the challenger’s defensive skills when the Johannesburg man began to open up his arsenal from long range.

As the bout wore on, Mthalane started to close the gap, throwing enough leather to throw off the Italian’s gameplan and take control by the fourth frame.

Trying to regain control, Sarritzu went on the offensive in the fifth but could not outfight the champion in the ensuing exchanges.

Mthalane’s pressure began to wear upon the challenger in the sixth as Sarritzu could not land with the authority to keep the Johannesburg man off.

The champion was in total charge by the seventh, shaking Sarritzu with a two-fisted assault until the contest was called off midway through the frame.

Mthalane improves to 28-2 (19) while Sarritzu drops to 32-5-4 (12).

The undercard saw ex-WBC Female flyweight boss Simona Galassi, 16-1-1 (3), pick up the vacant IBF Female super fly title with a wide ten rounds points decision over former European Female bantam beltholder Nadege Szikora, 10-3-1 (4).