By MESULI ZIFO
The loss to Terry Flanagan in a WBO lightweight title challenge last weekend has forced veteran boxer Mzonke Fana to consider retirement.
The 42-year-old Fana became the oldest boxer from the province to challenge for a major world title when he faced Englishman Flanagan at the Ice Arena in Cardiff.
But Fana fell short when he was dropped twice en route to a points decision loss with the judges’ scores all being 120-106.
On his return home, Fana, who injured his rib in the fight, said he lost the fight because of his age.
“There were things I wanted to do in the fight but my body would not allow me,” he said ruefully.
This despite being praised by critics for going the distance against an unbeaten boxer who is 15 years his junior. Flanagan is one of the top British boxers and is currently chasing for a domestic showdown against WBA champion Anthony Crolla.
But Fana does not see anything special in the Brit saying he would have destroyed him during his prime.
“I am even surprised that he is a champion of a major world body but I am telling you he would never have stood in front of me when I was in my prime.”
Fana said after trying out several tricks that would not work he came to the conclusion that he just does not have it anymore.
“I am one person who admits it when I do not have it anymore and this time I think age has caught up with me. I am seriously considering throwing in the towel.”
Fana said he would sit down with his wife to decide on whether to continue his career or not.
“But I already know what my wife will say because we agreed that I would retire last year, but I defied her.”
Fana was scheduled to retire in March last year when he beat Koos Sibiya soon after his father had died.
Then an opportunity to fight rural rival Xolisani “Nomeva” Ndongeni came along, causing him to shelve retirement plans at the time.
“I had wanted to test Ndongeni and when I was offered a chance against him I decided to take it and my wife had no problem giving me the go-ahead,” said Fana.
However, he ended up fighting on especially after the controversial manner in which he lost that fight. This was due to the rematch offer he was given by Ndongeni’s promoter Rodney Berman with a world title as an incentive.
But then the IBO refused to approve Fana. Instead they relegated the fight to a title eliminator which peeved Fana and caused him to withdraw as other offers came streaming in.
Fana, who hails from Qumbu in the Transkei but is based in Khayelitsha in Cape Town, said his wife was never happy with his decision to continue to fight.
The 22 years he has amassed as a professional boxer has affected his body in that old injuries are now recurring. For instance, Flanagan aggravated a rib injury he suffered in the WBC International eliminator against Filipino Randy Suico back in 2005.
“My wife cannot keep nursing me after my fights. I need to take a stand now, ” he said while recovering from the injury.
Ageing Fana set to rumble no more
The loss to Terry Flanagan in a WBO lightweight title challenge last weekend has forced veteran boxer Mzonke Fana to consider retirement.
The 42-year-old Fana became the oldest boxer from the province to challenge for a major world title when he faced Englishman Flanagan at the Ice Arena in Cardiff.
But Fana fell short when he was dropped twice en route to a points decision loss with the judges’ scores all being 120-106.
On his return home, Fana, who injured his rib in the fight, said he lost the fight because of his age.
“There were things I wanted to do in the fight but my body would not allow me,” he said ruefully.
This despite being praised by critics for going the distance against an unbeaten boxer who is 15 years his junior. Flanagan is one of the top British boxers and is currently chasing for a domestic showdown against WBA champion Anthony Crolla.
But Fana does not see anything special in the Brit saying he would have destroyed him during his prime.
“I am even surprised that he is a champion of a major world body but I am telling you he would never have stood in front of me when I was in my prime.”
Fana said after trying out several tricks that would not work he came to the conclusion that he just does not have it anymore.
“I am one person who admits it when I do not have it anymore and this time I think age has caught up with me. I am seriously considering throwing in the towel.”
Fana said he would sit down with his wife to decide on whether to continue his career or not.
“But I already know what my wife will say because we agreed that I would retire last year, but I defied her.”
Fana was scheduled to retire in March last year when he beat Koos Sibiya soon after his father had died.
Then an opportunity to fight rural rival Xolisani “Nomeva” Ndongeni came along, causing him to shelve retirement plans at the time.
“I had wanted to test Ndongeni and when I was offered a chance against him I decided to take it and my wife had no problem giving me the go-ahead,” said Fana.
However, he ended up fighting on especially after the controversial manner in which he lost that fight. This was due to the rematch offer he was given by Ndongeni’s promoter Rodney Berman with a world title as an incentive.
But then the IBO refused to approve Fana. Instead they relegated the fight to a title eliminator which peeved Fana and caused him to withdraw as other offers came streaming in.
Fana, who hails from Qumbu in the Transkei but is based in Khayelitsha in Cape Town, said his wife was never happy with his decision to continue to fight.
The 22 years he has amassed as a professional boxer has affected his body in that old injuries are now recurring. For instance, Flanagan aggravated a rib injury he suffered in the WBC International eliminator against Filipino Randy Suico back in 2005.
“My wife cannot keep nursing me after my fights. I need to take a stand now, ” he said while recovering from the injury.
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