Fana: In the clearing stands a boxer

IN 2005, Mzonke Fana looked destined for a short career when he was knocked out in four rounds by legendary Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera for the WBC title in Texas.

Eleven years later, at the tender age of 42, Fana is going strong, having won four titles in two weight divisions — the WBF Intercontinental (junior lightweight), WBF International (lightweight), Interim SA (lightweight), WBO Africa (lightweight) — in six championship fights over the past year.

He suffered a controversial split points decision to Xolisani Ndongeni for the WBA Pan African title before a losing attempt to win the ABU belt in Belgium.

During that time the “Rose of Khayelitsha” fought 69 rounds, a workload some 25-year-olds would be hard-pressed to match.

“Nothing comes easy in boxing,” says Fana. “You may have the best skills but if you lack commitment, hard work and dedication you won’t go anywhere with your skills. I work very hard in the gym because FIGHTER BY TRADE: Mzonke Fana, aged 42, has won 38 of his 47 fights most of my opponents are young boys.

“You can beat them only if you are dedicated to your craft and work twice as hard. It’s not easy but I am pushing. If you could see me in training you’d mistake me for 24. I give everything.”

In his last two fights, the former two-time IBF junior lightweight champion (from 2007 to 2008 and 2010 to 2011) was in punishing mood.

First he forced Xolani Mcotheli, who is 14 years his junior, to say “No mas” in the 10th round after the cocky young gun had promised to send him into retirement.

Last weekend Fana pulverised Vusumzi Bokolo into submission over seven rounds, the 32-year-old struggling to deal with the old man’s ramrod jab.

Fana, who has won 38 of his 47 fights, details the punishing routine that has kept him ahead of the youngsters: “I train twice a day, in the morning and the afternoon. I focus on doing road work (10km), sprinting and floor exercises in the morning. Then I work on the bags, pads and sparring in the afternoon.

“I don’t believe much in weightlifting, I do it maybe twice a year. I spar three times a week, 12 rounds at the most. I spar almost every week, but when I am preparing for a fight, every day.”

He says he chooses sparring partners who give him the package he expects from opponents.

“I use young guys for their speed, big guys who carry a punch, shorter and tall guys so that when I go into a fight I am fully equipped.”

Surprisingly, he says age has not really diminished his speed: “At 42 one would expect it to deteriorate, but I’ve never regarded myself as someone with speed. Rather, I have quick hands and throw three punches at the most.

“I can’t throw combinations, just one or two quick blows. I practise what I do and I can’t be out of the gym for more than two weeks.”

He said if anything had changed with his training routine it was using new methods for working on his legs, but his eating habits haven’t changed.

“I live on veggies and fruit and I don’t take supplements — I’m an old-school boxer.”

As for plans to retire: “Only God knows about my destiny.”

You can beat them only if you are dedicated to your craft and work twice as hard