Fana should breeze past Arrieta

08 December 2006 - 02:00
By unknown

Bongani Magasela

Bongani Magasela

Mzonke Fana should walk past Roberto Arrieta at Nasrec Arena tomorrow night to claim the right to challenge IBF junior lightweight champion Malcolm Klassen.

Fana is ranked third while the Argentinian occupies the number sixth spot in the IBF lightweight rankings. The number one and two spots are vacant.

Tomorrow's fight has been officially sanctioned by the IBF as the final eliminator.

This means the winner is guaranteed the rights to challenge Klassen, who won the title from Gairy St Clair at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park on November 4.

Fana tipped the scales at 58,72kg on Thursday and Arrieta registered 58,28kg. The limit is 58,90kg.

Fana boxed his way back to the limelight by defeating Junior Sollano in December last year and Jack Asis in June.

He had taken a break after being blown away in two rounds by Marco Barerra for the WBC title in April last year.

Sam Williams of the US will be the referee while the judges will be Albert Bennett (US), Roberto Ramirez (Puerto Rico) and Deon Dwarte (South Africa).

Meanwhile, bones could crack in a flyweight clash between Patrick Twala and Lehlohonolo Ramagole.

Jeffrey Mathebula is another rising star whose fruitful career faces a serious test against battle-scarred veteran Mkhuseli Kondile. The fights are being staged by Branco Milenkovic.