THE only time Jether "The General" Oliva will know he was in South Africa will be when he sees the stamp in his passport on his arrival back home in the Philippines.
This warning was issued yesterday by trainer Nick Durandt, who is trying to mastermind Oliva's demise when the Filipino opposes Moruti "Baby Face" Mthalane, the former undefeated IBF flyweight champion, for the vacant IBO flyweight title in Durban tomorrow night.
The fight is the first IBO championship in Durban since 1998, when Simon Ramoni won the super bantamweight belt against Michael Alldis.
It will be staged by promoter Thulani Magudulela in conjunction with the KwaZulu-Natal government at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre.
"Jether Oliva will not remember the fight. Moruti will be fighting at home for first time since 2003, so rest assured that he will put on a great show," said Durandt.
He predicted a short-route victory for his charge from Lindelani in Durban, whose last fight at home was on August 15 2003.
Mthalane's last fight was in September 2012 when he registered a fourth defence of the IBF strap in Panama. His mandatory defence against Silvio Olteanu was postponed and later called off last year.
Mthalane was scheduled to travel to Thailand, where he was to defend on January 22 but he relinquished the IBF title after being offered his biggest purse of R1-million to fight for the vacant IBO strap.
Said the colourful Durandt: "If you look at the records and quality opponents the two fighters have met, you will see that Oliva has been in against C- and D-grade fighters. He is now coming up against South Africa's best fighter - the A- grade fighter."
Durandt also revealed that they had been hard at work in the gym for 15 months.
Oliva's camp predicted a knockout win for the former WBO Oriental champion, but Durandt dismissed this as wishful thinking.
In the main supporting bout, national middleweight champion Christopher Buthelezi will defend his title against Giovanni Bushby.
The tournament also features a women's bout between Nomvelo Magcaba and Natalian Balie over six rounds.
Jether Oliva 'won't remember the fight'
THE only time Jether "The General" Oliva will know he was in South Africa will be when he sees the stamp in his passport on his arrival back home in the Philippines.
This warning was issued yesterday by trainer Nick Durandt, who is trying to mastermind Oliva's demise when the Filipino opposes Moruti "Baby Face" Mthalane, the former undefeated IBF flyweight champion, for the vacant IBO flyweight title in Durban tomorrow night.
The fight is the first IBO championship in Durban since 1998, when Simon Ramoni won the super bantamweight belt against Michael Alldis.
It will be staged by promoter Thulani Magudulela in conjunction with the KwaZulu-Natal government at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre.
"Jether Oliva will not remember the fight. Moruti will be fighting at home for first time since 2003, so rest assured that he will put on a great show," said Durandt.
He predicted a short-route victory for his charge from Lindelani in Durban, whose last fight at home was on August 15 2003.
Mthalane's last fight was in September 2012 when he registered a fourth defence of the IBF strap in Panama. His mandatory defence against Silvio Olteanu was postponed and later called off last year.
Mthalane was scheduled to travel to Thailand, where he was to defend on January 22 but he relinquished the IBF title after being offered his biggest purse of R1-million to fight for the vacant IBO strap.
Said the colourful Durandt: "If you look at the records and quality opponents the two fighters have met, you will see that Oliva has been in against C- and D-grade fighters. He is now coming up against South Africa's best fighter - the A- grade fighter."
Durandt also revealed that they had been hard at work in the gym for 15 months.
Oliva's camp predicted a knockout win for the former WBO Oriental champion, but Durandt dismissed this as wishful thinking.
In the main supporting bout, national middleweight champion Christopher Buthelezi will defend his title against Giovanni Bushby.
The tournament also features a women's bout between Nomvelo Magcaba and Natalian Balie over six rounds.
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