09.04.05 – By Jimmy Salamone: Mzonke Fana has traveled from South Africa to El Paso Texas in search of the WBC super featherweight title. He will get a look at the belt when it comes into the ring strapped around the waist of Marco Antonio Barrera. Fana, who has had only one fight outside South Africa in his career, will have to display an enormus amount of courage and execute a hell of a fight plan to leave El Paso with the title.. We all are familar with Marco Antonio’s career exploits. The battles with Morales, Tapia, Kevin Kelly, Ayala and Haseem Hamed. The tough loses to Paquiao, Morales and twice to Junior Jones.
Fight fans know what to expect from Barrera, but what about Fana? Sure his record looks good at (22-2-8 KO’s)) with a mere eight kayos. He does have stamina as indicated by several of his fights going the distance. Fana does have good hand speed and can box very well, but lacks serious power. Look for Fana to try and box Barrera from a distance and frusturate him with constant movement.
I don’t see Fana initiating much of the action the first few rounds. He will see what Barrera brings at him then will look to score will counter punching. Fana’s corner will have him trying to out box Barrera and get a decision on points unless somehow he can put together some combinations that hurt Barrera and then look to end the fight with a stoppage.
That scenario is a long shot, but stranger things have happened. We know Barrera will apply pressure early and often looking for openings toland heavy punches and get his man into trouble. Look for Barrera to win via a late round stoppage. Hey, I know it’s the safe bet, but Barrera is just a better fighter with more experience and his quality of opposition is considerably better than what Fana has faced. That doesn’t mean that Fana is going to be a pushover.
This is the chance of a lifetime for Fana and he will give it everything he has to knock off Barrera. Will it be enough? Tune in and find out. Oh, by the way, the fight prior to Barrera vs. Fana should be a barnburner with Ivan Hernandez vs. Fernando Montiel for the WBO junior batanweight title.