Funeka plays with fire

The choice of the opponent to face Ali “Rush Hour” Funeka in his return into action tonight has fans wringing their hands in apprehension.

Dissenters argue that Funeka needed someone soft to fight against, not Gideon Agbosu. The Ghanaian packs crippling power that can aggravate the head injuries Funeka sustained in his fifth round knockout loss to unheralded Tsiko “Cruel Junior” Mulovhedzi when they fought for Funeka’s IBO welterweight title in East London on July 14.

Funeka faces Agbosu for the vacant WBO Africa welterweight title at Orient Theatre, where Xaba Promotions and Events will stage the last tournament of the year in East London. It is dubbed “Block Buster” and features six title fights.

Funeka – the vastly experienced former South African junior-lightweight, WBC International lightweight, WBF junior-welterweight holder – is not exactly going to the guillotine tonight. Agbosu, who has left 10 of his 12 victims separated from their senses, has the mammoth task ahead of him as he will be involved in his first 12-rounder.

But the concern is what happens when he connects because he has proved to carry crippling power.

Funeka said: “I don’t know this guy but I did my own research and I discovered that he is shorter than me. He is also a knockout specialist, but that does not scare me. I have fought similar guys before , so I’m up to the challenge.

“I’m going out there to prove to people who called for my retirement after I lost to Tsiko that I am still kicking very strong. That loss belongs in the past.”

Funeka has everything going for him: height, durability, experience, power and homeground advantage. The lanky fighter from Mdantsane, who overcame tough as teak Russian Roman Balaev over 11 rounds for the IBO welterweight belt at Emperors Palace on November 15 last year, has been a professional boxer since 1995, with 29 knockouts in 36 wins against four losses and three draws.

Agbosu, from Accra, fought his first professional fight in 2011 and the longest distance he has gone so far is four eight rounders. He could be ring-rusty, having last fought in November in 2013, when he defeated Francis Appalo over the same number of rounds.

Agbosu has fought all his fights at home. He will need nerves of steel to deal with East London’s vociferous boxing fans, who are fully supportive of their idols.

In other bouts Tete brothers, Makazole “The Professor” and Zolani “Last Born” will challenge for IBO and WBO Africa junior-bantamweight vacant belts.

Makazole, who has won three regional titles (WBA Pan-African, IBO International and the same organisations’ Intercontinental belts in the flyweight class) will oppose Gideon “Hardcore” Buthelezi – another multiple regional holder – for the IBO title that Buthelezi failed to win back from then holder Lwandile “The Angel” Sityatha in July.

Makazole will be making his debut in the junior-bantamweight class, where Buthelezi, from the Vaal, has won many titles including the WBA Pan-African strap, which he captured in October after defeating Doctor Ntsele emphatically over 12 rounds in the Free State.

Zolani, a former undefeated IBF holder, will take on Jether Oliva from the Philippines for the WBO Africa belt while Sityatha and Ernesto Saulong, from the Philippines, will contest the vacant WBO International bantamweight title. SABC will broadcast these three bouts live from 9pm.

Xolani Mcotheli and Mzonke Fana will fight for the WBO Africa Interim lightweight belt, with Aphiwe Mboyiya and Abraham Osei Bonsu from Ghana completing the programme with a 12-rounder for the vacant WBO Africa Interim lightweight strap.