Boxing In South Africa: IBF Champ Mzonek Fana Sets Up Camp In Johannesburg

Reigning IBF World Junior Lightweight champion Mzonke Fana has left his home base in Cape Town and migrated up to Johannesburg ahead pf his first title defence against Javier Alvarez at the Banquet Hall in Klerksdorp on 31August.

Fana will be wrapping up his training in Jo’burg with assistance from his three main sparring partners from the Branco Sports Productions (BSP) stable, Godfrey Nzimande (SA junior lightweight champion), # 1 junior lightweight contender Jasper Seroka and unbeaten former “Baby Champ” sensation Vusumzi Tyatyeka (SA #7).

Fana and Alvarez will come face to face for the first time already this coming Friday night, August 24, when both fighters will be ringside guests at BSP’s “Double Trouble” WBC International Championship tournament at the Nasrec Indoor Arena.

Fana, 29 fights, 26 wins, 3 losses, will be trying in this showdown with the experienced Alvarez, 41 fights, 34 wins, 6 losses, 1 draw, to reverse a nagging curse which has plagued this IBF title, by successfully making his first defence.

The junior lightweight version of this very credible world championship has changed hands no less than three times in past 12 months and many believe the title is jinxed.

Cassius Baloyi lost in first defence in July last year to St Clair, while Gary Saint Claire was relieved of the championship belt by Malcolm Klassen in November. Klassen then surrendered it on 20 April to Fana in Khayelitsha, in a scrap that could well be a leading contender for “Fight of the Year”.

The BSP-promoted tournament, in association with the North West Department of Sport and the Matlosana Municipality (Klerksdorp), will be broadcast live on SABC Sport’s “Blow by Blow – Uncut” from 22h00, with a strong possibility of also being relayed on a delayed basis worldwide.

Tickets are on sale at a very reasonable price of just R100-00.