By Ronnie Nathanielsz

The WBC world super featherweight title eliminator between Mzonke Fana of South Africa and Randy Suico of the Philippines last May in Johannesburg has won the “Fight of the Year” award at the Annual South Africa Boxing Awards at the Hilton Hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg. In addition, Fana who is ranked No. 1 by the WBC while Suico is ranked No. 2,  also won the “Boxer of the Year” accolade. Suico is the reigning Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation champion.

Fana who beat Suico in a split decision despite being decked twice in the world title eliminator and in deep trouble in the final round, is scheduled to fight newly crowned super featherweight champion Marco Antonio Barrera reportedly on April 19. However, Manila Standard learned that should Barrera refuse to fight Fana in a mandatory defense the WBC will strip him of the title and pit Suico against Fana in a rematch.

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Known as the “Rose of Khayelitscha” the 30 year old Fana edged out IBO bantamweight champion Silence Mabuza for “Boxer of the Year” honors. His fight against Suico was staged by well-known South African promoter Branco Malenkovic who was 2003 “Promoter of the Year.” It was described as a fight that had “all the ingredients to scoop the top award” and edged out the much talked about IBO junior lightweight war between Cassius Baloyi and former IBF super bantamweight champion Lelohonolo Ledwaba who lost his crown to the Philippines Manny Pacquiao by a sixth round KO.

Fana  who was delighted to win the twin-awards said “This means a lot to me. I am looking forward to making South Africans proud by winning the WBC title.”