After losing a close but fair decision to Marco Antonio Barrera last November, what does Erik Morales do? He takes on Barrera-conqueror Manny Pacquiao and administers a lesson in counterpunching and beatdowns, that's what.

And what does the winner Barrera do? He signs to fight a WBC mandatory named Mzonke Fana. Livin' dangerously, eh Marco?

To be fair, Barrera, 59-4 (41), has been in his share of wars and is certainly entitled to a tune-up between big name fights. But there is no reason for the fight to be on HBO pay-per-view (remember Barrera vs. Kevin Kelley, anyone?) Fana, 22-2 (8), is a slick, safe, little-known South African who poses little threat to Barrera.

Barrera claims that he has trouble with quick-fisted southpaws (remember Barrera vs. Pacquiao, anyone?) and Fana will be a tough fight for him. Maybe. But considering how good Barrera looked against Morales, he should have nothing to worry about come Saturday night. And even if Fana does pose problems, at least he doesn't punch as hard as Pacquiao.

Barrera-Fana is interesting only in the sense that a Barrera victory presents intriguing matchups: Barrera vs. Juan Manuel Marquez? Barrera vs. Pacquiao II? Barrera vs. Morales IV?

Who knows, maybe by the end of the night, we'll all be clamouring for Barrera vs. Fana II.

Prediction: Barrera by unanimous decision