SaddoBoxing Writers Predict: Marco Antonio Barrera vs. Mzonke Fana.

Some believe that no fight is a formality, while others state that Barrera is wasting precious time by taking on a mandatory obligation against the little known entity of Mzonke Fana. However you perceive this fight, what is certain is that if by any chance Barrera loses, many great fights will evaporate into thin air.

Amazingly, even though Barrera emerged victorious from his third hellish war with Erik Morales last November, he finds himself playing catch-up to his nemesis; Morales’ reinstated much of the industries’ faith in his abilities by taking on and defeating Filipino fireball Manny Pacquiao last month. With Morales indicating a move up in weight, a fourth Barrera-Morales fight looks unlikely. Therefore, it is hoped that Barrera will engage Pacquiao again on a revenge mission or Juan Manuel Marquez in another all-Mexican showdown. In the final stretch of a long and illustrious boxing career, Marco Antonio Barrera may dream of final victories so great as to remove any doubt as to his claim to being the greatest Mexican fighter of his time. However, there can be no mistakes against a hungry challenger such as Fana. Who will win this upcoming fight, and what happens next in the epic saga that is the Barrera legacy, we do not yet know, but the SaddoBoxing.com team have a few theories. Read on to find out what they have to say.

James MacDonald: I see Barrera probably stopping Fana in the mid-rounds. From what I hear, I’m not so sure he’ll be as easy as people are making out. Could be wrong, though. The logical choice for Barrera’s next opponent would be a fourth fight with Morales. Personally, I would love to see him in against Pacquiao, so that he can attempt to set that loss straight. It won’t be easy, but I think it would be easier than a fight with an on form Morales. Only time will tell really.

Greg K: I can’t see any way that Barrera would lose this fight. Barrera has a habit of taking on soft or washed up competition after a hard title winning fight, and this won’t be any different from the Tapia or Kevin Kelley disasters that were promoted as fights that actually mattered. I would be seriously surprised if this makes it past the sixth round. This fight is all about keeping busy while he sits back and watches what Pacquiao, Morales, and Marquez do next. On the surface, it seems like he’s taking the easy route, but it’s moves like this that make him one of the smartest fighters in the game. Look for a rematch with Pacquiao or a fourth fight with Morales after this one.

Lee Bellfield: To be honest, I don’t know much about his opponent so I’m going for a mid-rounds stoppage win for the champion. The best move for Barrera is to have a couple of routine defenses before another big money fight. Personally, I would love to see a second bout between Barrera and Pacman. I’m sure Barrera will want revenge and will be confident after the recent Pacquiao defeat

Sergio Martinez: Sometimes a “no brainer” ends up showing us how brainless we are when it comes to boxing. Having said that, I really thing that Barrera vs. Fana is a “no brainer.” Barring a massive let down because of Barrera’s recent war with Erik Morales, the Mexico City star should be able to handle Fana with ease. It should, and I stress SHOULD, be a classic Barrera fight, much like that of his against Paulie Ayala. Marco will use his superb boxing skills to brake down Fana and stop him in the middle of the fight, I’d say about the eighth round with, what else, a body shot. There’s my two cents.

Jim Cawkwell: In this fight, Marco Antonio Barrera does not have anyone to convince of his current state or abilities; in fact, will anyone ever trust their gut instinct that he is finished as an elite fighter again? As I expected, Erik Morales intends to move up in weight, practically ending the possibility of a fourth Barrera-Morales event. However, there is an outstanding collection of fighters between the 126-130-pound weight divisions that Barrera has not already fought and that would each provide a fitting challenge for him. For his part, Fana’s only two losses cam via decisions which may indicate that he is a solid enough fighter. The fact remains though that the leap from dominating European level fighters and making defenses of the South African super featherweight title to Barrera is meteoric. I suspect that Fana’s punch resistance may keep his dream alive for a few rounds before Barrera’s all-round superiority crumbles the challenger around the mid-way point of the fight. Meanwhile, Pacquiao, Chi, Marquez or Harrison, the list of potential future Barrera opponents virtually ensures that however he ends his career, it will be with a bang.

Katrina Walters: Barrera will win by a knockout.

William Wolfrum: Coming off a year layoff and heading into his battle against Marco Antonio Barrera, I can say one thing about Mzonke Fana: I know squat about him. Of course, who knew about Azumah Nelson when he fought Salvador Sanchez all those years ago? OK, a horrible comparison as Nelson was nineteen and Fana is thirty-one. I’m trying people, work with me. Barrera will win this fight, but the question is; how will he look? Coming off victories over Paulie Ayala and Erik Morales would make you think he’s back in form, but have sixty-four fights caught up with him? Plus, the beating he took from Manny Pacquiao still leaves Barrera with question marks. Those questions shouldn’t be answered Saturday, however: Barrera by sixth-round stoppage.

Shaun Rico LaWhorn: Marco Antonio Barrera will show off a boxing display in this fight, the bad part would be for his opposition, Mzonke Fana who will have to deal with Marco’s outstanding boxing ability. If Fana can show a decent performance, it will open the door for bigger paydays. Marco by majority decision.

Edwin Gonzalez: Mexico’s biggest superstar Marco Antonio Barrera makes his first appearance since his great victory over his Mexican counterpart Erik Morales. I do not know much about Mzonke Fana, but what I can tell you is that, He is 22-2 with 8KOs. The two fights he lost, he lost by decision. He has a good chin, but has no power whatsoever. I am going to say Marco Antonio Barrera via unanimous decision.

Don Caputo: Barrera by stoppage between rounds three-eight. This is Fana’s first time in the spotlight so he is going to want to give a good account of himself, but Barrera is going to be too strong and experienced.

Richard Eberline: I interviewed Englishman Dean Pithie a few years ago when he was the Commonwealth champion and if I remember right, he was just coming off a hard fought victory over a hard as nails South African named Mzonke Fana. Dean told me that it was the fight of his life but he managed to beat Fana. Pithie lost his belt in his very next outing, but the South African’s name stuck in my mind. Fana has won all his contests since the loss to the Brit and has most likely improved during that span of time. The thing is, Marco Antonio Barrera is a whole different kettle of fish than anyone Fana has faced before. Very few fighters have been able to make the living Mexican legend dance to their tune, and while boxing is a wildly unpredictable sport, I can’t see Fana as having the goods to pull a Pacquiao as it were and dominate Barrera in this title fight. The best South African fighters have historically had great chins but Marco Antonio does go to the body as well as anyone in the game, so without having ever seen Fana fight, I’ll go out on a limb and predict that Barrera stops the challenger in the ninth round.

Saddo: Goodto see that Barrera is going to have a well deserved easy nights work for a change. This is a massive step up for Fana and I can only see an exhibition style fight from Barrera. Fana may be able to last the twelve rounds, but I’m betting Barrera will be looking for a quick nights work. Barrera wins via seventh round KO.

Jim Cawkwell can be reached at jimcawkwell@yahoo.co.uk