Muhammad Waseem vs. Moruti Mthalane - Vacant IBF Title - July 15, 2018 (Pacquiao-Matthysse card)

[Ruthless-RKO]

The July 15th Kuala Lumpur show headlined by Manny Pacquiao vs. Lucas Matthysse has its first undercard bout, as Moruti Mthalane and Muhammad Waseem are officially set to fight for the vacant IBF flyweight title. The fight was originally meant to be an eliminator before champion Donnie Nietes vacated the belt.

The fight is set for July 15 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on the Manny Pacquiao-Lucas Matthysse card, Mthalane’s manager/trainer Colin Nathan tells Ring.

Mthalane (35-2, 24 KO) is 21-1 in the last 13.5 years, losing only to Nonito Donaire in that span, and knocked out both Zolani Tete and Johnriel Casimero during his time as IBF champ. He missed all of 2013 and 2016, losing his title in the former case, but went 3-0 in 2017.

The South African Mthalane (35-2, 24 knockouts) held the belt from 2009-2014, making four defenses, including stoppage wins over Zolani Tete and Johnriel Casimero. He was stripped of the belt after withdrawing from a mandatory defense against Amnat Ruenroeng and sat out the entirety of 2016 before returning with three stoppage wins in 2017.

“Babyface” turns 36 this October.

Waseem (8-0, 6 KO), an amateur standout, has been in limbo for a while thanks to financial issues that cost him a shot at WBC champ Daigo Higa. He’s 3-0 over bottom-of-the-barrel opposition since edging rising Filipino Giemel Magramo in November 2016. It’s nice to see him finally get a shot at the big time.

[Mexi-Box]

Waseem was that guy that was complaining that Pakistan wasn't helping him financially so he changed over to another country, right? By the way, that's quite the step up. Mthalane is ancient for the division, though.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Waseem was that guy that was complaining that Pakistan wasn't helping him financially so he changed over to another country, right? By the way, that's quite the step up. Mthalane is ancient for the division, though.

Yh, he was mandatory for then-WBC beltholder Daigo Higa..

Waseem was eventually stripped of the Silver belt and lost his #1 ranking.

Now he'a going for the IBF..

Everyone on this forum was saying Higa would smash Waseem. Well Higa just done himself over..

[imaioral]

He is an ascending good boxer with a good amateur background, but realistically speaking, I don't think he can win this fight, is too early for him, he ain't no Lomachenko in early pro stages.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Surely this fight will be broadcast on TV, after all it is a world title fight.