Greenhorn Xolani ‘‘Tiger” Mcotheli’s showdown with veteran Mzonke ‘‘Rose of Khayelitsha” Fana has been hyped as a classic David- versus-Goliath contest, and it remains to be seen if this battle for the vacant WBO Africa interim lightweight title will live up to its billing tomorrow night.
The inexperienced Mcotheli will enter the ring as a rank outsider and few are giving him a chance against the battle-scarred Fana, who is a former holder of the IBO international junior-lightweight title.
“I have grown up as a fighter now, especially after the fight against Klassen. I can simply say I also have the experience,” he said.
“I am fit for the fight and people will be speaking a different language after I change their minds after the fight.”
While Mcotheli is a talented fighter who talks big, he is a novice of just 15 fights and perhaps part of his bravado emanates from the fact that he managed 10 knockouts from these matches. He won three fights via points decisions.
Fana, on the other hand, has been around the block a few times and boasts wins against the self-same Seroka (TKO 6) and Klassen (points over 12 rounds). He has 36 wins, 14 KOs in 45 bouts.
Fana is coming off a points loss to unheralded Hedi Slimani in a fight for the ABU belt in Belgium last month and will be desperate to make amends.
This fight is part of a six-championship tournament to be staged by Ayanda Matiti’s Xaba Promotions and Events. It is their last event of the year in the Eastern Cape and has been dubbed “Block Buster” because of the calibre of the line-up.
Fana face-off with Mcotheli draws debate
The inexperienced Mcotheli will enter the ring as a rank outsider and few are giving him a chance against the battle-scarred Fana, who is a former holder of the IBO international junior-lightweight title.
“I have grown up as a fighter now, especially after the fight against Klassen. I can simply say I also have the experience,” he said.
“I am fit for the fight and people will be speaking a different language after I change their minds after the fight.”
While Mcotheli is a talented fighter who talks big, he is a novice of just 15 fights and perhaps part of his bravado emanates from the fact that he managed 10 knockouts from these matches. He won three fights via points decisions.
Fana, on the other hand, has been around the block a few times and boasts wins against the self-same Seroka (TKO 6) and Klassen (points over 12 rounds). He has 36 wins, 14 KOs in 45 bouts.
Fana is coming off a points loss to unheralded Hedi Slimani in a fight for the ABU belt in Belgium last month and will be desperate to make amends.
This fight is part of a six-championship tournament to be staged by Ayanda Matiti’s Xaba Promotions and Events. It is their last event of the year in the Eastern Cape and has been dubbed “Block Buster” because of the calibre of the line-up.
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