By Anthony Cocks
IBF flyweight champion Moruti Mthalane 37-2 (25) will return to the ring when he defends his title against Masayuki Koruda 30-7-3 (16) at the world famous Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan on May 13.
The 32-year-old Japanese boxer is ranked number four by the IBF and has won his last six bouts.
In his previous world title shot Koruda dropped a 12-round unanimous decision to WBA 112-pound ruler Juan Carlos Reveco six years ago.
Koruda, who works as a convenience store clerk during the day, knows this is his last shot at the big time.
“I fully understand that this is my last chance,” said Kuroda to The Japan Times.
“I’ve been able to practice to a level that I’m very confident in myself. I think what I’ll have accumulated every day (in training) will bring about good results.”
The evergreen Mthalane, 36, will be making the second defence of the world title he won against Muhammad Waseem in an entertaining scrap on the undercard of Manny Pacquiao versus Lucas Matthysse last July.
On New Year’s Eve Mthalane dominated Japan’s Masahiro Sakamoto before knocking him out in the 10th in Macau.
South African Mthalane is into the second world title reign of his career. Mthalane first claimed the IBF 112-pound crown almost a decade ago when he outpointed Julio Cesar Miranda.