Funeka to take on much younger opponent
Ali Funeka, a 40-year-old boxer from Mdantsane who is on a five-bout losing streak, has been cleared to meet welterweight Uyanda Nogogo on 3 March at the Orient Theatre in East London.
It has been clear for all to see that the veteran's boxing skills have deteriorated over the last two years, and it was rather surprising that Boxing SA cleared him to take on Nogogo, who is 20 years his junior.
Funeka, who will celebrate his 41st birthday on 4 March, a day after the proposed bout, has been fighting as pro for more than 23 years. He has fought 39 fights involving close to 300 rounds.
Funeka has won the South African junior lightweight, WBC international lightweight, WBF junior welterweight, IBO welterweight, WBO Africa welterweight and IBO International welterweight titles in a long and punishing career.
The last time he won a fight was a third-round stoppage win over Justice Addy from Ghana on 24 July 2016. Addy had a record of three wins, one loss and one draw, according to Boxrec, before the fight.
Since that win Funeka has lost to Jeff Horn, Samuel Vargas and novices Karen Chukhadzhyan, Islam Dumanov and Gor Yeritsyan all via points' decisions.
Also prior to this, in July 2015, he was smashed to defeat in five rounds by Tsiko Mulovhedzi after three knock-downs, and was taken to hospital for observation after the fight.
NAMPA/ANA
It has been clear for all to see that the veteran's boxing skills have deteriorated over the last two years, and it was rather surprising that Boxing SA cleared him to take on Nogogo, who is 20 years his junior.
Funeka, who will celebrate his 41st birthday on 4 March, a day after the proposed bout, has been fighting as pro for more than 23 years. He has fought 39 fights involving close to 300 rounds.
Funeka has won the South African junior lightweight, WBC international lightweight, WBF junior welterweight, IBO welterweight, WBO Africa welterweight and IBO International welterweight titles in a long and punishing career.
The last time he won a fight was a third-round stoppage win over Justice Addy from Ghana on 24 July 2016. Addy had a record of three wins, one loss and one draw, according to Boxrec, before the fight.
Since that win Funeka has lost to Jeff Horn, Samuel Vargas and novices Karen Chukhadzhyan, Islam Dumanov and Gor Yeritsyan all via points' decisions.
Also prior to this, in July 2015, he was smashed to defeat in five rounds by Tsiko Mulovhedzi after three knock-downs, and was taken to hospital for observation after the fight.
NAMPA/ANA
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