Moments after Moruti Mthalane retained his IBF flyweight world title in Tokyo, he called out another champion for a unification bout.
Mthalane was asked in the locker room about a potential fight against WBC champion Charlie Edwards and said he wants that fight and is ready to unify titles at 112 pounds. Mthalane is coming off a unanimous decision win over Masayuki Kuroda to retain his title at Korakuen Hall, winning with scores of 116-112, 116-112 and 117-111.
"Charlie Edwards, I've been waiting to fight this fight, so now, I'm ready," Mthalane said. "I won this fight so I'm looking forward to fight you. Come on champ! Let's unify titles! I'm ready and I will knock you out!"
The IBF champ Moriti Mthalane has a message for WBC champ @CEdwardsBoxing and @EddieHearn from Tokyo #MthalaneKuroda #NoSparring #Boxing pic.twitter.com/8KF5UcR1GP
— No Sparring (@NoSparring) May 13, 2019
That short video was enough to capture the attention of Eddie Hearn, Edwards' promoter, who showed his support for a unification fight in a two-word tweet.
Let’s go! https://t.co/XrTnj6nhBH
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) May 13, 2019
The WBC champion aso took notice of the video and said he would love to make the fight happen.
Let’s do this --
— Charlie Edwards (@CEdwardsBoxing) May 13, 2019
Well done my friend, two belts on the line and I will make you eat those words!
Timing is everything this is my era and I am going to take the IBF World Title off of you!
Let’s get this made @EddieHearn @MTKGlobal https://t.co/4lGYYmH5a5
Edwards has held the WBC flyweight title since last December when he defeated Cristofer Rosales by unanimous decision at the O2 Arena. Rosales has only made one successful defense of his world title, which was a 12-round decision win over Angel Moreno back on March 23.
Mthalane won the IBF title last summer when he defeated Muhammad Waseem in Malaysia and would go on to retain his title on December 31, 2018 against Masahiro Sakamoto.
