VETERAN Mdantsane fighter Ali “Rush Hour” Funeka has punched himself back to world title contention after he sensationally knocked out Johannesburg’s Jason Bedeman in one round of their junior-welterweight non-title clash at Emperors Palace on Monday night.
The knockout was so devastating that Bedeman had to be rushed to hospital where he is reported to be in a stable condition.
Funeka, 35, is a former world title contender who also held the marginal WBF crown and, after the impressive win on Monday, he is now in line to climb the world title ladder after his career appeared to be over after his defeat by homeboy Zolani Marali last December.
After his defeat by Marali, Funeka reconciled with his long-time mentor Mzi Mnguni who he had unceremoniously dumped shortly after losing to American Nate Campbell for the world lightweight title challenge in 2009.
Considered very unlucky not be crowned a world champion after he appeared to have outboxed Campbell, Funeka was to suffer a controversial defeat again against Dominican Republican Joan Guzman when they fought for the vacant IBF crown in the same year.
He dropped a points decision in a rematch against Guzman when the Dominican came to the fight grossly overweight.
With Mnguni vowing never to work with him again, the pair eventually reconciled and in their first fight together, Funeka dismantled Vusi Dladla in one round this past July.
When Golden Gloves Promotion (GGP) was looking for an opponent for Bedeman, Dispatch suggested Funeka’s name, and GGP boss Rodney Berman jumped at the opportunity to make the fight happen.
However, after several postponement due to Bedeman’ s changing of trainers, the clash finally happened on Monday but lasted shorter than the time it took to put it together.
Fighting behind a stiff jab, Funeka connected with a big right hand that floored Bedeman hard.
He somehow managed to make it to his feet, but another jab-induced right hand decked Bedeman, and this time the referee did not bother to count as he waved the fight over.
Berman was also delighted with the gangly fighter and inquired from his handlers if he should organise a world title challenge for him in the junior-welterweight division.
Berman has strong connections with the WBA/IBO junior-welterweight champion Khabib Allakhverdiev of Russian who dethroned South African fighter Kaizer Mabuza for the IBO crown last year.
Berman billed Allakhverdiev in his Monaco tournament where the Russian knocked out Souleymane M’baye in 11 rounds to retain his title this past July.
In the meantime Mnguni is targeting the SA junior-welterweight crown held by Funeka’s homeboy Mzolisi Yoyo.
“We want Yoyo’s title and we will lodge a challenge as soon as possible,” he said.
Funeka’s fists do the talking
The knockout was so devastating that Bedeman had to be rushed to hospital where he is reported to be in a stable condition.
Funeka, 35, is a former world title contender who also held the marginal WBF crown and, after the impressive win on Monday, he is now in line to climb the world title ladder after his career appeared to be over after his defeat by homeboy Zolani Marali last December.
After his defeat by Marali, Funeka reconciled with his long-time mentor Mzi Mnguni who he had unceremoniously dumped shortly after losing to American Nate Campbell for the world lightweight title challenge in 2009.
Considered very unlucky not be crowned a world champion after he appeared to have outboxed Campbell, Funeka was to suffer a controversial defeat again against Dominican Republican Joan Guzman when they fought for the vacant IBF crown in the same year.
He dropped a points decision in a rematch against Guzman when the Dominican came to the fight grossly overweight.
With Mnguni vowing never to work with him again, the pair eventually reconciled and in their first fight together, Funeka dismantled Vusi Dladla in one round this past July.
When Golden Gloves Promotion (GGP) was looking for an opponent for Bedeman, Dispatch suggested Funeka’s name, and GGP boss Rodney Berman jumped at the opportunity to make the fight happen.
However, after several postponement due to Bedeman’ s changing of trainers, the clash finally happened on Monday but lasted shorter than the time it took to put it together.
Fighting behind a stiff jab, Funeka connected with a big right hand that floored Bedeman hard.
He somehow managed to make it to his feet, but another jab-induced right hand decked Bedeman, and this time the referee did not bother to count as he waved the fight over.
Berman was also delighted with the gangly fighter and inquired from his handlers if he should organise a world title challenge for him in the junior-welterweight division.
Berman has strong connections with the WBA/IBO junior-welterweight champion Khabib Allakhverdiev of Russian who dethroned South African fighter Kaizer Mabuza for the IBO crown last year.
Berman billed Allakhverdiev in his Monaco tournament where the Russian knocked out Souleymane M’baye in 11 rounds to retain his title this past July.
In the meantime Mnguni is targeting the SA junior-welterweight crown held by Funeka’s homeboy Mzolisi Yoyo.
“We want Yoyo’s title and we will lodge a challenge as soon as possible,” he said.
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