CASSIUS "Hitman" Baloyi and Mzonke "Rose of Khayelitsha" Fana will meet again for the IBF junior lightweight title in May.
CASSIUS "Hitman" Baloyi and Mzonke "Rose of Khayelitsha" Fana will meet again for the IBF junior lightweight title in May.
They have both held the title before. Baloyi lost it to Australia-based Gary St Clair, who was in turn defeated by Malcolm Klassen, who was later dethroned by Fana. The latter lost the belt to Baloyi in April 2008.
Baloyi lost it to Klassen in April last year and Klassen was dethroned by American Robert Guerrero in August last year.
Guerrero vacated the title two nights ago because he wanted to be with his ill wife Casey.
Guerrero was to defend his title against No 1 contender Fana. The promoter of that fight was to have been determined by a purse bid that failed to take place last week.
Promoters Branco Milenkovic and Oscar de la Hoya postponed it to find a compromise after the news about Guerrero's wife. De la Hoya asked the IBF to give his fighter six months' extension but Milenkovic objected.
"We are all very sad about Guerrero's wife, but I could not put Fana on ice for another six months.
"I had talks with De la Hoya and Guerrero's manager Shirley Finkell and the decision taken was that Guerrero vacate the title," Milenkovic said yesterday.
"I gave them the undertaking that we will accommodate them when Guerrero wishes to make a comeback, after I have produced the champion."
Nobody took Milenkovic seriously last year when he announced that he had huge plans for boxing this year.
He mentioned rematches between Baloyi and Klassen, Baloyi and Fana, as well as Fana versus Klassen. True to his word one of them, Baloyi-Fana round two, is happening.
"Regardless of the outcome Klassen, who is rated No4, will fight one of the two. This will give Branco Sports Productions the opportunity to stage another local showdown.
"These match-ups have changed the image of local boxing for the better," Milenkovic said.
l Boxing SA's education and training programme commences at Nasrec Arena tomorrow.
l Naomi Matlala, 73, the mother of legendary boxer Jacob Matlala, will be buried at West Park Cemetery at 12 noon tomorrow.
baloyi vs fana again
CASSIUS "Hitman" Baloyi and Mzonke "Rose of Khayelitsha" Fana will meet again for the IBF junior lightweight title in May.
CASSIUS "Hitman" Baloyi and Mzonke "Rose of Khayelitsha" Fana will meet again for the IBF junior lightweight title in May.
They have both held the title before. Baloyi lost it to Australia-based Gary St Clair, who was in turn defeated by Malcolm Klassen, who was later dethroned by Fana. The latter lost the belt to Baloyi in April 2008.
Baloyi lost it to Klassen in April last year and Klassen was dethroned by American Robert Guerrero in August last year.
Guerrero vacated the title two nights ago because he wanted to be with his ill wife Casey.
Guerrero was to defend his title against No 1 contender Fana. The promoter of that fight was to have been determined by a purse bid that failed to take place last week.
Promoters Branco Milenkovic and Oscar de la Hoya postponed it to find a compromise after the news about Guerrero's wife. De la Hoya asked the IBF to give his fighter six months' extension but Milenkovic objected.
"We are all very sad about Guerrero's wife, but I could not put Fana on ice for another six months.
"I had talks with De la Hoya and Guerrero's manager Shirley Finkell and the decision taken was that Guerrero vacate the title," Milenkovic said yesterday.
"I gave them the undertaking that we will accommodate them when Guerrero wishes to make a comeback, after I have produced the champion."
Nobody took Milenkovic seriously last year when he announced that he had huge plans for boxing this year.
He mentioned rematches between Baloyi and Klassen, Baloyi and Fana, as well as Fana versus Klassen. True to his word one of them, Baloyi-Fana round two, is happening.
"Regardless of the outcome Klassen, who is rated No4, will fight one of the two. This will give Branco Sports Productions the opportunity to stage another local showdown.
"These match-ups have changed the image of local boxing for the better," Milenkovic said.
l Boxing SA's education and training programme commences at Nasrec Arena tomorrow.
l Naomi Matlala, 73, the mother of legendary boxer Jacob Matlala, will be buried at West Park Cemetery at 12 noon tomorrow.
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