Mthalane vs Yaegashi

Who won Mthalane vs Yaegashi?

Moruti Mthalane beat Akira Yaegashi by technical knockout in the 9th round on Monday 23rd December 2019 at Arena in Kanagawa.

The fight was scheduled to take place over 12 rounds in the Flyweight division, which meant the weight limit was 112 pounds (8 stone or 50.8 KG).

This contest was for the vacant IBF flyweight championship of the world.

This fight appeared on the undercard of Ryota Murata beating Steven Butler for the WBA World Middleweight championship. Also, on the undercard Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez defeated Diomel Diocos.

Mthalane vs Yaegashi stats

Back in December 2019, Moruti Mthalane stepped into the ring with a record of 38 wins, 2 loses and 0 draws, 25 of those wins coming by the way of knock out.

Akira Yaegashi made his way to the ring with a record of 28 wins, 6 loses and 0 draws, with 16 of those wins by knock out.

The stats suggested Mthalane had a slight advantage in power over Yaegashi, with a 66% knock out percentage over Yaegashi's 57%.

Moruti Mthalane was the same age as Akira Yaegashi, at 37 years old.

Mthalane had a height advantage of 2 inches over Yaegashi. That also extended to a 2-inch reach advantage.

Both Moruti Mthalane & Akira Yaegashi fought out of an orthodox stance.

Mthalane was the more experienced professional fighter, having had 6 more fights, and made his debut in 2000, 4 years and 3 months earlier than Yaegashi, whose first professional fight was in 2005. He had fought 5 more professional rounds, 260 to Yaegashi's 255.

Akira Yaegashi was ranked number 14 by the IBF in the 112lb division.

Mthalane vs Yaegashi form

Mthalane had won 5 of his most recent fights, stopping 3 of them, going the distance twice.

In his last fight leading up to this contest, he had defeated Masayuki Kuroda on 13th May 2019 by unanimous decision in their IBF World Flyweight championship fight at Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan.

Previous to that, he had defeated Masahiro Sakamoto on 31st December 2018 by technical knockout in the 10th round in their IBF World Flyweight championship fight at Wynn Palace Cotai, Macao, China.

Going into that contest, he had beat Muhammad Waseem on 15th July 2018 by unanimous decision in their IBF World Flyweight championship fight at Axiata Arena, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Before that, he had won against Genisis Libranza on 28th April 2017 by knockout in the 4th round at South Africa, Cape Town, United States.

He had beat Renz Rosia on 12th December 2015 by technical knockout in the 9th round at Olive Convention Centre, Durban, South Africa.

Yaegashi had beaten 4 of his last 5 opponents, stopping 2 of them, going the distance twice.

In his last fight before this contest, he had defeated Martin Tecuapetla on 8th May 2016 by split decision in their IBF World Junior Flyweight championship fight at Ariake Colosseum, Japan.

Previous to that, he had defeated Javier Mendoza on 29th December 2015 by unanimous decision in their IBF World Junior Flyweight championship fight at Ariake Colosseum.

Going into that contest, he had won against Said M Said on 20th August 2015 by knockout in the 3rd round at Korakuen Hall.

Before that, he had defeated Songseanglek Phosuwangym on 1st May 2015 by technical knockout in the 2nd round at Ota-City General Gymnasium, Tokyo.

He had been beaten by Pedro Guevara on 30th December 2014 by knockout in the 7th round in their WBC World Light Flyweight championship fight at Metropolitan Gym, Tokyo.

Activity check

In terms of activity leading into the fight, Moruti Mthalane had been fighting more than Akira Yaegashi.

Going to this contest, Moruti Mthalane had last fought 7 months and 10 days ago, while Akira Yaegashi's last outing had been 3 years, 7 months and 15 days ago.

Mthalane's last 5 fights had come over a period of 4 years and 11 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 9 months and 21 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 47 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 9.4 rounds on average.

Yaegashi's last 5 fights had come over a period of 4 years, 11 months and 23 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 11 months and 29 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 36 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 7.2 rounds on average.

What time did Mthalane vs Yaegashi start?

The fighters were expected to ringwalk at around 8:00 AM UTC at Arena, Kanagawa, Japan, which was 3:00 AM EST or 12:00 AM PST on the West Coast of America, or 8:00 AM GMT in the UK.

Who broadcast Mthalane vs Yaegashi?

The fight was broadcast in the United States by ESPN+.

What were the odds on Mthalane vs Yaegashi?

Moruti Mthalane was a 11/50 (-450) favourite going into the contest, while Akira Yaegashi made his way into the ring at 3/1 (+300) with oddsmakers.