Funeka-Guzman: Was Ali Ripped Off Again?

By Peter Wells: Last night, Joan Guzman and Ali Funeka fought to a majority draw, it was for the vacant International Boxing Federation Lightweight title. The scores were 114-114 twice while one judge gave it to Funeka 116-112. It was a close fight and we all would like to know who won. So here is what happened in their fight round by round:

Round 1- Guzman starts sharp, quick on his feet and landing with combinations to body and head. The lanky South African is unable to use his superior reach to any advantage as Guzman has him on the inside every time.

10-9 Guzman

Round 2- A better round for Funeka, Guzman struggled to get inside the long reach of Ali, but was still sneaking through and landing over double the amount of punches landed by Funeka.

10-9 Guzman

Round 3- Guzman attacks early, and sprawls low to avoid the swinging left of Funeka, Ali started to look more lively but Guzman’s head bobbing was becoming a problem as showed once again on the punch count, with Guzman landing over triple the amount of power punches.

10-9 Guzman

Round 4- Early on Funeka went down but was ruled a slip, and then Guzman started to pile on some pressure. Guzman started to get caught with big shots, and Funeka was looking much better, but Joan was still getting inside making it an exciting fight and very hard to call.

10-9 Funeka

Round 5- Guzman was being treated to a nasty cut over his right eye, but was more closer to his nose so wasn’t affecting his vision as much. The cut was caused by a nasty clash of heads in round 4. Once again an extremely exciting round, both fighters going in and landing hard shots, Funeka was looking the better landing some hard right hands.

10-9 Funeka

Round 6- Guzman wasn’t getting in as easily now and was having to trade from the outside were he was losing dramatically.

10-9 Funeka

Round 7- Funeka started by keeping on the outside but Guzman was soon able to sneak on the inside and was very affective and both fighters traded blow for blow. Joan was looking better with his head movement and was blocking a lot of Ali’s punches.

10-9 Guzman

Round 8- Guzman struggled a bit to get inside in round eight and there was plenty of holding on. Guzman couldn’t find a way through the high guard of Funeka. Funeka landed solid shots very late on and momentarily stunned Joan, Guzman backed off and took some more hard and affective shots.

10-9 Funeka

Round 9- Guzman was starting to take a beating and his face was looking quite a mess. Guzman was being beaten to combinations and Funeka was charging forward. Joan had to keep his guard high as Ali rarely went downstairs.

10-9 Funeka

Round 10- Funeka started to pour on more pressure coming in with big one-twos, and Guzman had no answer it was looking like it could be stopped any time soon.

10-9 Funeka

Round 11- Funeka had Guzman on the ropes early; Joan tried showboating but got caught doing it. Guzman looked better landing more on the inside and looked livelier but was still being caught a number of times.

10-9 Funeka

Round 12- Guzman ended good kept moving on the inside, but kept getting caught. It made for a great end to a great fight, but maybe the verdict ruined it.

10-9 Guzman

Final Result- 115-113 Funeka

Guzman was very lucky to get off with a draw, and once again Ali will feel hard done by. Funeka is defiantly a future world champion he just needs to get the right judges. Guzman’s chance will come just not against a guy like Funeka.

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