By MESULI ZIFO
Mzonke Fana may have failed to win a major world title after he went down to Englishman Terry Flanagan but the Qumbu-born boxer left the Ice Arena in Cardiff, Wales with his reputation intact.
Bidding for history by becoming the oldest boxer at 42 years old from the Eastern Cape to win a major world title, Fana saw his aspirations go up in smoke when he was dropped twice in his WBO lightweight title challenge on Saturday and eventually lost the bout on points.
Facing an opponent 15 years his junior, Fana was tipped to fall within the distance against the unbeaten champion.
This was due to a number of factors.
Fana had not engaged in a world-class fight since getting stripped of his IBF world junior lightweight crown five years ago and although he had made a remarkable comeback, his advanced age and his latest run-up to the fight gave nothing to suggest that he would be able to go the distance against the left-handed champion, much less being competitive.
In fact Fana appeared to be on course for a short night when he was dropped as early as the fourth round.
But then the crafty veteran summoned all the wisdom and experience he had amassed from 22 years of professional boxing to survive and he actually gave the Brit a hard time with his awkward style.
The South African was able to frustrate Flanagan who struggled to pin him down with a clean punch to match his pre-fight prediction that he would win well within the distance.
The cagey Fana was able to score with his trademark jab to ward off his stalker although he was consistently falling behind on the scorecards.
Going to the final round, Fana knew that he needed a knockout to turn back the clock but it was Flanagan who finally nailed him with a punch that knocked him down as his timing and reflexes began to give in.
Scores of 120-106 across the board did not reflect the competitive nature of the fight, meaning Fana needed a knockout to win even before the first round started.
The defeat, the 10th for Fana in 48 bouts, is unlikely to make him retire from the game especially as he keeps beating up the B-level opposition.
His SA promoter Ayanda Matiti was pleased with his charge.
Incredibly the fighter is older than his promoter.
“His wealth of experience means that he will still be competitive with the best in his division but I cannot pronounce what will happen with his future until I had spoken to him.
“But from where I stand I think he still has plenty of boxing left in his body,” said Matiti.
Fana loses title bout
Mzonke Fana may have failed to win a major world title after he went down to Englishman Terry Flanagan but the Qumbu-born boxer left the Ice Arena in Cardiff, Wales with his reputation intact.
Bidding for history by becoming the oldest boxer at 42 years old from the Eastern Cape to win a major world title, Fana saw his aspirations go up in smoke when he was dropped twice in his WBO lightweight title challenge on Saturday and eventually lost the bout on points.
Facing an opponent 15 years his junior, Fana was tipped to fall within the distance against the unbeaten champion.
This was due to a number of factors.
Fana had not engaged in a world-class fight since getting stripped of his IBF world junior lightweight crown five years ago and although he had made a remarkable comeback, his advanced age and his latest run-up to the fight gave nothing to suggest that he would be able to go the distance against the left-handed champion, much less being competitive.
In fact Fana appeared to be on course for a short night when he was dropped as early as the fourth round.
But then the crafty veteran summoned all the wisdom and experience he had amassed from 22 years of professional boxing to survive and he actually gave the Brit a hard time with his awkward style.
The South African was able to frustrate Flanagan who struggled to pin him down with a clean punch to match his pre-fight prediction that he would win well within the distance.
The cagey Fana was able to score with his trademark jab to ward off his stalker although he was consistently falling behind on the scorecards.
Going to the final round, Fana knew that he needed a knockout to turn back the clock but it was Flanagan who finally nailed him with a punch that knocked him down as his timing and reflexes began to give in.
Scores of 120-106 across the board did not reflect the competitive nature of the fight, meaning Fana needed a knockout to win even before the first round started.
The defeat, the 10th for Fana in 48 bouts, is unlikely to make him retire from the game especially as he keeps beating up the B-level opposition.
His SA promoter Ayanda Matiti was pleased with his charge.
Incredibly the fighter is older than his promoter.
“His wealth of experience means that he will still be competitive with the best in his division but I cannot pronounce what will happen with his future until I had spoken to him.
“But from where I stand I think he still has plenty of boxing left in his body,” said Matiti.
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