Boxing Result: Fana Defeats Baloyi For IBF Title In South Africa

Mzonke Fana not only won the IBF super featherweight title for the second time but the 36 year old from Cape Town gained revenge against domestic archrival Cassius Baloyi last night at Carnival City in Brakpan.

After having started off slowly in his previous IBF title clash with Baloyi in 2008 and losing on points as a result, Fana did a complete about face last evening.

The former South African titlist was on fire from the first bell and showed no signs of inactivity from his 14 moth spell away from the ring. Fana was a blizzard of activity, throwing leather with both hands at a tremendous pace.

35 year old Baloyi could not keep his antagonist at arm’s length where his height advantage could have made a difference as Fana got on the inside from the start.

While Baloyi did manage to connect at times with his own punches, those blows did not carry the authority to back Fana off and the bout was largely a one-sided affair for all twelve rounds.

Newly minted IBF champion Fana swept the cards 119-109, 119-110 and 118-100, improving to 30-4 (12) while Baloyi has now lost two of his last three, both for the IBF crown, dropping to 37-5-1 (19).

Another IBF clash was on the bill as flyweight ruler Moruti Mthalane, 26-2 (17), overcame a tough start to stop Zolani Tete, 13-1 (11), in the fifth frame.

Tete’s power shots swept the early going but Mthalane’s experience made a difference by the middle rounds as the challenger began to tire from his opening assault and the champion closed in for the finishing.

The undercard saw two South African super bantam veterans engage in a hotly contested battle won by Takalani Ndlovu, 31-6 (18), via scores of 114-113, 114-113 and a rather wide 118-109 against Jeffrey Mathebula, 23-3-2 (13).

Ndlovu wins not only the bout but an IBF title eliminator, which could qualify him to face IBF champ Steve Molitor for a third time, providing the Canadian can defeat British and Commonwealth champion Jason Booth next weekend.