Ali Funeka, 30-3-3 (25), has
been in three world title fights
so far in a professional career
that started in 1995. In fact,
his last three outings were for
world championships. Each time
he came very close to winning,
only to see the sports ultimate
price narrowly escape him.
On November 19 he gets a fourth
chance when he takes on fellow
South African Zolani Marali,
21-4 (13), a former IBO World
Champion, for the vacant World
Boxing Federation (WBF) World
Light Welterweight title.
They will clash
on the big “Urban War” promotion
in Johannesburg headlined by a
WBF World Heavyweight title
fight between Francois Botha and
Michael Grant at the Monte
Casino.
After winning the South African
title in 2004 and the WBC
International crown in 2006, and
defending those belts
successfully seven and two times
respectively, Funeka burst onto
the international scene in 2008
when he knocked out former US
Olympian Zaheer Raheem in a
world title eliminator.
With a record of 29-2 in the
pros, Raheem held a victory over
Mexican legend Eric Morales, and
the triumph over the American
secured Ali Funeka a shot at
unified World Champion Nate
Campbell. Despite suffering
knockdowns in the second and
eleventh round, Funeka pushed
Campbell to the brink and in the
opinion of many won more rounds
than the defending champion.
But after twelve thrilling
rounds Campbell was awarded a
majority decision (113-113,
114-112, 115-111), and Funeka
travelled back to South Africa
without a world title, but
knowing he could hold his own
with the best in his weight
class.
Nine months later Funeka got a
shot at the IBF world title,
vacated by Campbell, and
dominated undefeated Dominican
Pound-For-Pound candidate Joan
Guzman only to see the verdict
inexplicably come out a draw
when two of the judges handed in
114-114 tallies. The third judge
saw it 116-112 for Funeka, but
once again he went home empty
handed.
In March 2010 Funeka fought
Guzman in a much closer rematch,
and lost a less disputed split
decision that could have gone
either way. The deciding
scorecard favored Guzman by one
point, and there were those at
ringside who felt that Funeka
was wrongly denied a world
championship for the third time
in a row.
Against Zolani Marali on
November 19 at the Monte Casino
in Johannesburg, Funeka plans to
take the outcome out of the
judges hands. And with
twenty-five out of thirty
victories coming inside the
distance, he has the power to do
so.
However, Marali obviously has
other plans. The 34-year-old
two-time former IBO World
Champion, at super bantamweight
and lightweight, is beaming with
confidence coming off a decision
victory over big-punching 19-1-1
prospect Kgotla Baeti in his
last fight. And with thirteen
stoppages to his credit, Marali
is no powder-puff himself.
Ali Funeka vs. Zolani Marali is
just one of six WBF title fights
on the huge “Urban War” bill
promoted by Showpony Promotions
headed by Damian Michael. Five
world championship encounters
and one All-Africa title fight
completes the biggest event in
World Boxing Federation history.
Besides Funeka – Marali and the
Botha vs. Grant Heavyweight
encounter, Lubabalu Msuthu will
defend his WBF World
Bantamweight championship
against undefeated Philippino
Dennis Tubieron, Malcolm Klassen
squares off with Mexican Daniel
Lomeli for the vacant WBF World
Welterweight crown, and Ilunga
Makabu goes for the vacant WBF
World Cruiserweight title
against Pedro Otas from Brazil.
The vacant All-Africa
Welterweight title will be up
for grabs in a fight between
compatriots Mthobisi Buthelezi
and Gerry Nekhubvi.
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