Ali Funeka

Ali Mziyanda Funeka (born 28 March 1978) is a South African professional boxer. He held the IBO welterweight world title from 2014 to 2015, previously challenged three times for a lightweight world title between 2009 and 2010, and held the South African super featherweight title between 2004–2006 and in 2014.

Professional career

Funeka turned pro in 1995 at the 112 pound weight class. After moving up in weight and fighting mostly journeymen, he stepped up in class to challenge Mzonke Fana for the South African super featherweight title in 2002. Although he knocked Fana down in the 1st, Funeka lost a decision. After winning several regional titles, Funeka rose to fame with an upset knockout win over Zahir Raheem in an IBF Lightweight Title Eliminator in 2008.

The following year he would lose to champion Nate Campbell.

Later in 2009, he challenged Joan Guzmán for the vacant IBF lightweight world title but the fight was ruled a draw, although many felt Funeka had won.

In 2010, Funeka fought Guzman for the same vacant title of their previous encounter. Because Guzman was 9 pounds above the lightweight limit, the title became only on line for Funeka. During the fight, the South African experienced a knockdown as well as being outpointed by Guzman who prevailed by majority decision. In the post-fight drug test, Funeka tested positive for hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic banned by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC).^[1] To salvage him, Funeka's manager said the diuretic taken was given by a doctor who told them that it was not a banned substance.^[2] Nevertheless, the NSAC sentenced Funeka to a 9-month suspension as well making him pay a fine of $35,000. Funeka also had to return the bonus money he earned from Guzman's "overweight" penalty.^[3]

On 19 November 2011, Funeka defeated Zolani Marali by split decision to capture the vacant WBF light-welterweight title in Johannesburg. The two met in a rematch the following year, on 8 December 2012, where Marali defeated Funeka by unanimous decision to win the WBF title.

On 15 November 2014, Funeka defeated Russian-German boxer Roman Belaev in a controversial technical decision for the vacant IBO welterweight world title. The fight was stopped due to a cut above Belaev's right eye, with the judges scoring the bout 104-105, 104-105 and 109-100 in favor of Funeka.^[4][5][6]

On 10 December 2015, Funeka faced Australian Jeff Horn for the WBO Inter-Continental welterweight title in Auckland, New Zealand. He lost by technical knockout in the sixth round. The bout was a title eliminator for WBO world title held by Manny Pacquiao.

Professional boxing record

References

1. ^ Ryan Burton (April 11, 2010). "Ali Funeka Fails Post-Fight Drug Test For Guzman Bout". BoxingScene.com. Archived 13 April 2010 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2010-04-11.
2. ^ Mark Vester (April 13, 2010). "Ali Funeka's Manager Responds To Post-Fight Test Result". BoxingScene.com. Archived 17 April 2010 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2010-04-17.
3. ^ Lem Satterfield (June 9, 2010). "Ali Funeka Fined and Suspended For Positive Drug Test". BoxingScene.com. Archived 12 June 2010 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2010-06-09.
4. ^ "Oosthuizen Stops Grachev For WBC Belt, Funeka Wins". BoxingScene.com. 15 November 2014. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
5. ^ "Gauteng, South Africa". AsianBoxing.info. 15 November 2014. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
6. ^ "Roman Belaev, Dominic Boesel Return; Imre Szello Update". BoxingScene.com. 22 January 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2017.