Wilting Rose refuses to leave the ring after another defeat
Fana is a shadow of his former self
Despite the curtain falling on Mzonke Fana at Turffontein racecourse on Friday evening, the 43-year-old boxer refuses to admit that it is time to quit.
“When I wake up in the morning my body still responds, so why must I quit?” said the wilting Fana, nicknamed “Rose of Khayelitsha”.
He tried unsuccessfully to shift into high gear against Thompson Mokwana for the SA lightweight belt.
The Xaba Promotions and Events main event was such a one-sided affair that all three judges scored the 12 rounder in favour of Mokwana.
Fana’s ability to easily extricate himself from punches is all but gone.
A body mover with ring laterals which makes him a difficult target to hit - Fana’s usual ramrod jab was also misfiring.
Fana was down for the count in round seven. The former two-time
IBF junior lightweight holder has had a long, windy and illustrious career which started in 1994.
His loss to Mokwana was Fana’s
13th against 38 wins. Mokwana, 38, improved to 22 wins and a draw, against 11 losses. Other results of the tournament commemorating the June 16 uprisings are:
Sunday Kiwale (Tanzania) beat Daluxolo Mancotywa KO 2; Renson Hobyani bt Christian Okeke TKO 1; Sikho Nqothela bt Sandile Kukame TKO 3; Vladislov Sirenke (Ukrain) bt Pete Kapete TKO 1; Gift Bholo bt Marcus Lebogo KO 2; Michael Mokoena bt Thanduxolo Gatyeni TKO 3, Luyanda Ntwanambi bt Lufefe Vikwa TKO 4.
Welterweight (6 rds):
Uyanda Nogogo bt Farady Mukandila pts;
Junior flyweight (4 rds):
Onke Khanzi bt Fani Masilo pts;
Junior featherweight (4 rds):
Muzingayne Mvimvi bt Lucky Hobyane pts.