Has the final bell rung for Fana?
FORMER IBF world super featherweight champion Mzonke Fana could call time on his career after collapsing in the aftermath of a title bout in Ghana on Saturday.
Fana, who also previously held the WBC international super featherweight and WBF international lightweight titles, suffered a 12-round unanimous decision loss to hometown hero Emmanuel Tagoe in a bout for the vacant IBO world lightweight title.
The “Rose of Khayelitsha” says he is yet to make a final decision, but will consider his future over the festive season.
“It is a concern, but right now I just want to take a break. Maybe this could be my last fight or maybe I could have one or two left. I can’t say right now. I want to wait and see,” he said.
“Right now I just want to enjoy my break with my wife and kids. I will make my decision about that next year. I’m not in the right position right now to say what’s next. I’m not sure. First I deserve a break.”
The 43-year-old took the fight against 29-year-old Tagoe on just four days notice after Argentine Fernando David Saucedo pulled out. He was knocked down twice in the first round but stayed on his feet for the rest of the fight.
Tagoe dominated until that final bell and the judges awarded him victory with scores of a 120-116, 120-117 and 120-116.
“It was a fair decision to me. The boy was quicker and faster than me. He was not much stronger, but he was fast. I don’t have a problem with my performance either. I performed to my best,” Fana said.
Though he can remember details of the fight, Fana says he drifted in and out of consciousness until his arrival at the hospital.
“After the 12th round, after the final the bell, I just felt dizzy. I asked my trainer to let me sit down and I think he was trying to bring me a chair, but I said I just want to sit down on the floor,” he said.
“I don’t know what happened next, because the next thing I noticed I was on the floor with a lot of people around me. The next thing I noticed I was in the ambulance on my way to the hospital.”
Fana was taken to a second hospital in the Ghanaian capital for a brain scan. He says the scan revealed no problems, and he was cleared by doctors and taken to his hotel. Fana flew out of Ghana on the same day and arrived in Cape Town on Sunday.
“Thanks to everyone for their support and prayers. I’m back home, well and in good condition,” he added. “I was treated very well in Ghana from the day I arrived. When I woke up in the ambulance, there were a lot people with – the fight doctor, my manager and the promoter.
“While I was in the hospital the doctors came by to check on me more than once.”
Fana has also challenged for the WBC world super featherweight, WBO international lightweight, WBA intercontinental lightweight, WBF intercontinental super featherweight and WBO world lightweight titles.
He was stripped of the WBF international lightweight title last month for failing to defend the belt.
Right now I just want to enjoy my break with my wife and kids. I will make my decision about that next year. I’m not in the right position right now to say what’s next. I’m not sure. First I deserve a break.”