Ali Funeka
Encyclopedia
Ali Funeka is a South African boxer
. Known as "Rush Hour", he is currently trained by former champion Vuyani Bungu
. His current record stands at 30 victories, 3 defeats, 3 draws and 25 knockouts.
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
, although the championship was not on the line due to Campbell failing to make weight for the bout.
Later in 2009 he challenged Joan Guzman
for the vacant IBF lightweight 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). 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. Nevertheless, the NSAC sentenced Funeka to a 9-month suspencion 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.
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
. Known as "Rush Hour", he is currently trained by former champion Vuyani Bungu
Vuyani Bungu
Vuyani Bungu was a professional boxer. Known as "Carousel Kid" or "The Beast", Bungu was a force in the super bantamweight division throughout the 1990s.-Professional career:...
. His current record stands at 30 victories, 3 defeats, 3 draws and 25 knockouts.
Pro 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 FanaMzonke Fana
Mzonke Fana is a professional boxer in the junior lightweight division. Known as "The Rose of Khayelitsha", he was a virtual unknown in the boxing world until he challenged and defeated Malcolm Klassen for the IBF World Junior lightweight title in 2007...
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
Zahir Raheem
Zahir Raheem is an American boxer. Known as "Z-Man", his current professional record stands at 30 wins, 3 losses with 17 knockouts....
in an IBF Lightweight Title Eliminator in 2008.
The following year he would lose to champion Nate Campbell
Nate Campbell
Nathaniel Campbell , more commonly known as Nate Campbell, is an American retired professional boxer. He is a former unified WBA, IBF and WBO lightweight champion.-Amateur career:...
, although the championship was not on the line due to Campbell failing to make weight for the bout.
Later in 2009 he challenged Joan Guzman
Joan Guzman
Joan Guzmán is a Dominican professional boxer who was the WBO's super bantamweight and super featherweight champion. His nickname is "The Little Tyson"." Guzmán is now trained by Former World Champion Roberto Garcia. Former unheralded boxer Floyd Mayweather, Sr...
for the vacant IBF lightweight 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
Hydrochlorothiazide
Hydrochlorothiazide, abbreviated HCTZ, HCT, or HZT, is a first-line diuretic drug of the thiazide class that acts by inhibiting the kidneys' ability to retain water. This reduces the volume of the blood, decreasing blood return to the heart and thus cardiac output and, by other mechanisms, is...
, a diuretic banned by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC). 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. Nevertheless, the NSAC sentenced Funeka to a 9-month suspencion 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.