Fana Stops Seroka To Land Klassen-Guerrero Winner
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Mzonke Fana who once scored a controversial split decision win over the Philippines Randy Suico in a WBC super featherweight title eliminator on May 28, 2004 and then fought Marco Antonio Barrera for the title and was demolished in two rounds on April 9, 2005, has once again earned a mandatory shot, this time for the IBF junior lightweight title by scoring a sixth round TKO over Jasper Seroka in a fight card in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Referee Wayne Kelly of the US called a halt at 1:39 of the 6th round as Fana ripped through the defense of Seroka, the South African champion at 130 pounds.. Fana working behind his vaunted jab, connected with a series of punches that had Seroka staggering around the ring.
Fana nailed Seroka with a big overhand right in round two . Seroka launched an all-out attack in the next round but was wild with many of his punches.
The 33 year old Fana didn’t panic in the face of Seroka’s aggressive tactics and continued to use his stinging jab effectively and had the South African champion in deep trouble nearing the end of the fifth round before Fana stepped up his attack forcing referee Kelly to step in and end the contest.
Fana who is handled by well known international award-winning promoter Branco Milenkovic will face the winner of the clash between IBF champion and fellow South Africans Malcolm Klassen, and Robert Guerrero in Houston, Texas, on August 22.
Klassen was at the Nasrec Indoor Arena to see Fana earn the right to challenge for the title.
Fana, who lost the belt to Cassius Baloyi in April last year, improved his record to 29-4, with 12 stoppages. Seroke dropped to 20-2; 9 knockouts. Fana who is ranked No. 4 by the IBF won the junior lightweight belt on April 20, 2007 when he upset Klassen by scoring a split decision win.
Some years ago Klassen was being mentioned as a possible opponent for Filipino ring hero Manny Pacquiao but that fight never materialized.
