Canizales, Mthalane triumph in Pacquiao-Matthysse undercard

KUALA LUMPUR — Venezuela’s Carlos Canizales retained his WBA light flyweight title while South Africa’s Moruti Mthalane earned the vacant IBF flyweight belt after outlasting tough opponents in the undercard of the Pacquiao-Matthysse Fight of Champions Sunday at Axiata Arena here.

Canizales scored a 12th round stoppage over China’s Lu Bin while Mthalane recovered from a late knockdown to beat Pakistan’s Muhammad Waseem by unanimous decision.

The 25-year-old Canizales stayed aggressive from the opening bell and used his experience to control the fight. He hiked his record to 21-0-1, 17 KOs.

“It was hard for me at the start to figure out his style but I got my rhythm and I was ready for him,” said Canizales, who foiled Bin’s bid to become the fastest boxer to win a world title.

Mthalane had some anxious moments late in the fight. He barely survived the last round after getting rocked for the final time by a relentless Waseem.

The 35-year-old Mthalane got the nod from the judges, who scored it 114-113 twice and 116-110.