By Jake Donovan


IBF super featherweight titlist Mzonke Fana was stripped of his belt for failure to comply with his mandatory title defense versus Argenis Mendez, Boxingscene.com learned on Thursday afternoon.


Mendez, who traveled to South Africa earlier this year and won a title eliminator against former champ Cassius Baloyi, was prepared to once again travel abroad for a June 11 bout with Fana.


However, plans quickly fell apart after it was learned that Fana never signed a contract, despite a purse bid being canceled due to information suggestion that all terms had been agreed upon in order to move forward with the fight.


A vacant title fight has yet to be secured, other than that Mendez remains first in line for a crack at the belt. The IBF will confirm availabilty of the next highest challengers before making an official announcement.


Fana was a two-time titlist, with Baloyi playing a part in both reigns. Fana's first reign came to an end when he dropped a narrow decision to his countryman in April 2008, and regained the belt in their rematch nearly 2 1/2 years later.


More to come...