Funeka-Guzman II on March 27th

Image: Funeka-Guzman II on March 27thBy Jim Dower: On March 27th, top lightweight contenders Ali Funeka (30-2-3, 25 KO’s) and Joan Guzman (29-0-1, 17 KO’s) will face each other in a rematch for the vacant International Boxing Federation lightweight bout at a still to be determined location. The two fighters met three months ago in November in a fight that ended in a controversial 12 round majority draw at the Pepsi Coliseum, in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The final scores for the fight were 114-114, 116-112 for Funeka, and 114-114. However, many boxing fans felt that Funeka did more than enough to win the fight based on his much better work rate in the 2nd half of the fight.

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Super Six Lightweights: Part 5- The Final Guzman-Funeka II

funeka5456By Peter Wells: After a great semi-final we come down to a grand final with a rematch between Joan Guzman 32-1-1 against Ali Funeka 34-2-3. Last time out they came to a controversial draw, where Funeka looked the clear winner, and now he has the chance to prove that. Funeka remains undefeated in the tournament beating Kevin Mitchell, Michael Katsidis, and Paulus Moses and stopping Edwin Valero in the semis. While Guzman has come out with the only defeat of his career to Edwin Valero while beating Michael Katsidis twice and Kevin Mitchell.

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Super Six Lightweights: Part 4 – Valero-Funeka & Katsidis-Guzman II

valero58333By Peter Wells: Well now we’re into the Semi-Finals, with Kevin Mitchell who would now be 30-3 and Paulus Moses who would now be 25-3. Well we are left with Ali Funeka 33-2-3, Edwin Valero 27-1, Michael Katsidis 28-4 and now World Boxing Council and WBA champion, and Joan Guzman 31-1-1. Well with those 4 left in it I might as well get to the fights.

Michael Katsidis vs Joan Guzman

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Super Six Lightweights: Part 2

funeka4543By Peter Wells: Now after 1 fight each Ali Funeka leads the way, but there are more fight to come they are:

Ali Funeka vs Michael Katsidis

Funeka will be in high hopes after beating Mitchell, and Katsidis should be well recovered after losing to Joan Guzman. Ali should struggle at times to get Katsidis out his face and may be knocked down, but once he finds his reach he should take control of the fight to scrape a close decision, on the terms that the judges won’t be against him again.

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Funeka-Guzman: I agree with the fight being scored a draw

guzman56343By Scott Gilfoid: I don’t know what everyone is getting upset about, I totally agree with the Ali Funeka (30-2-3, 25 KO’s) vs. Joan Guzman (29-0-1, 17 KO’s) bout being scored a 12 round draw. In fact, that’s exactly the way I scored it on Saturday night. Funeka’s co-promoter said “Let me put it to you this way, Ali got screwed and he didn’t even get kissed.” But if they want to blame anyone, they should look at Funeka. He’s the one that decided to only jab the first six rounds of the fight. The vacant International Boxing Federation lightweight title was on the line for the fight, which took place on the undercard of the Lucian Bute vs. Librado Andrade bout at the Pepsi Coliseum, in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.

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Funeka-Guzman: Was Ali Ripped Off Again?

guzman45343By 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:

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Bute-Andrade; Guzman-Funeka Previews

guzman4345734By Peter Wells: Tomorrow is to set up another 2 fascinating bouts between four great fighters. One will take place as the main event and for the International Boxing Federation super middleweight title; the other is for the IBF Lightweight title between two very good fighters.

First I’ll go to our main attraction, Lucian Bute is the champion and so far in his 24 fights as a professional. His challenger is looking for revenge after last October’s controversial victory.

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Funeka – A New Star Is Born In The Lightweight Division

funeka342424By Jim Dower: Although South African lightweight Ali Funeka (30-2-2, 25 KOs) came up short on Saturday night against former IBF/WBA/WBO lightweight champion Nate Campbell, losing by a 12-round majority decision at the BankAtlantic Center, in Sunrise, Florida, Funeka out-fought Campbell in the majority of the rounds and proved to be every bit as good as Campbell and then some. After the fight, an emotional Campbell announced that he’s moving up to the light welterweight division, leaving Funeka and a handful of other lightweight stars to fight it out for the vacant International Boxing Federation title.

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Campbell Defeats Funeka, Plans on Moving Up To 140

campbell4635345By Jim Dower: Former WBA/WBO lightweight champion Nate Campbell (33-5-1, 25 KOs) defeated number#1 International Boxing Federation (IBF) lightweight contender Ali Funeka (30-2-2, 25 KOs) by a 12-round majority decision on Saturday night at the BankAtlantic Center, in Sunrise, Florida. Campbell, 36, knocked Funeka down twice in the fight – once in 2nd and then again in the 11th round to take the fight

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