Fourth loss in a row for Fana

EASTERN Cape boxers suffered contrasting outcomes at the Turffontein Race Course in Johannesburg where they featured in a Xaba Promotions and Events (XPE) tournament at the weekend.

In yet another show by East London promoter XPE out of the region, there were four provincial boxers featured in the event topped by Qumbu-born veteran Mzonke Fana defending his SA lightweight title against Thompson Mokwana.

Fana, who at 43 is winding down his career, came to the fight on the backdrop of three consecutive losses.

Unfortunately he did not look like stemming the tide.

Having suffered a health scare in an IBO lightweight title clash against Emmanuel Tagoe in Ghana, Fana never looked like redeeming himself against a motivated Mokwana who was bidding for the third reign of the title.

Fana could hardly put in a sustained attack as he was on the receiving end of Mokwana’s stinging punches that led to a unanimous decision loss for the Cape Town-based boxer.

There have been numerous calls for Fana to now retire and he has also been hinting at finally calling it a day after a professional career which included two IBF world title triumphs, a WBC world title against legendary Mexican Marco Antonio mention but a few.

Fana has now lost his last four bouts in a row.

As if Fana’s defeat was not enough, former SA mini-flyweight champion Daluxolo Mangcotywa of Mdantsane also suffered a disappointing loss when he was stopped in two rounds by unheralded Tanzanian Sunday Kiwale in a clash for the African Boxing Union title.

But there were smiles in the camp of amateur stars Uyanda Nogogo and Sikho Nqothole when they impressively won their bouts.

Fighting for the second time in a space of a month, Nogogo settled for a points win over Faraday Makwandile in their welterweight clash.

Nqothole from Mthatha rallied to score a fourth-round stoppage over Sandile Kukuma to keep his unbeaten fight record of four fights intact.

Nqothole and Nogogo are expected to return to the ring in an XPE show celebrating the birthday of former struggle icon Nelson Mandela in East London on July 28.

Another East London boxer Luyanda Ntwanambi also won his bout when he stopped Lufefe Vikwa in four rounds of their flyweight scrap. — DDR Barrera to