Ali “Rush Hour” Funeka will be out to prove his critics wrong come Sunday when he squares up with Ghanaian Justice Addy at the Queenstown Indoor Sport Centre in Komani at 2pm.
At stake is the WBO Africa welterweight crown Funeka has held since last December when he defeated Gideon Agbosu at the Orient Theatre in East London.
Funeka has vowed to teach Addy a free boxing lesson but is yet to decide whether via the long distance or the short route.
The 38-year-old veteran Funeka is not bothered by his opponent’s impressive knockout rate.
Of the 14 fights Addy has won since turning pro in 2007, 13 of them were by way of knockout.
But Funeka says it is no difficult task to manoeuvre around knockout specialists of note like Addy since all one has got to do is counter their power.
While Funeka, who is miles apart compared to his foe on experience, believes his experience will come in handy, he will not rely solely on that.
Besides, Addy has never fought outside his country of birth.
“In any sport experience will always count but it would be dangerous for me to bank on that to deliver the fight for me because strange things do happen in boxing,” said Funeka.
“I may be counting on experience forgetting that Addy is out to make a name for himself against an already established fighter, so I will leave no room for complacency.
“Mine will be prove that I have experience but in a smart and tactical manner without taking the opponent for granted.”
Having been fighting in the professional ranks for 21 years, this will be the first time Funeka is involved in a tournament staged outside East London.
According to him this event, promoted by Sakhisizwe and X Boxing Promotions, gives him extra motivation as it takes him to some of his fans who have always seen his fights on television.
Funeka said: “I am known all over South Africa and my supporters are all over, especially in the Eastern Cape but most have had to travel to East London to see me fight, hence I am so pleased that the people of Komani will get to watch me live.
“There could be no better way to reward them for their continued support other than winning this one for them.”
Funeka also took the opportunity to call out his detractors who believe he has overstayed his welcome inside the square jungle.
“They said I was finished when I lost to Tsiko Mulovhedzi but what did I do after that, I went on to win two fights in succession,” an angry Funeka said.
“I just think it is uncalled for anyone to tell me when I should retire because I will only do that when I feel that my body cannot carry me anymore.”
There will be two other title fights on the undercard, one of which will see SA super-middleweight title-holder Balimo Weliya defend against Lee Dyer, while SA women’s flyweight champion Noxolo Makanavu will risk her crown against Siphosethu Nxazonke.
‘Rush Hour’ on a quest for Justice
At stake is the WBO Africa welterweight crown Funeka has held since last December when he defeated Gideon Agbosu at the Orient Theatre in East London.
Funeka has vowed to teach Addy a free boxing lesson but is yet to decide whether via the long distance or the short route.
The 38-year-old veteran Funeka is not bothered by his opponent’s impressive knockout rate.
Of the 14 fights Addy has won since turning pro in 2007, 13 of them were by way of knockout.
But Funeka says it is no difficult task to manoeuvre around knockout specialists of note like Addy since all one has got to do is counter their power.
While Funeka, who is miles apart compared to his foe on experience, believes his experience will come in handy, he will not rely solely on that.
Besides, Addy has never fought outside his country of birth.
“In any sport experience will always count but it would be dangerous for me to bank on that to deliver the fight for me because strange things do happen in boxing,” said Funeka.
“I may be counting on experience forgetting that Addy is out to make a name for himself against an already established fighter, so I will leave no room for complacency.
“Mine will be prove that I have experience but in a smart and tactical manner without taking the opponent for granted.”
Having been fighting in the professional ranks for 21 years, this will be the first time Funeka is involved in a tournament staged outside East London.
According to him this event, promoted by Sakhisizwe and X Boxing Promotions, gives him extra motivation as it takes him to some of his fans who have always seen his fights on television.
Funeka said: “I am known all over South Africa and my supporters are all over, especially in the Eastern Cape but most have had to travel to East London to see me fight, hence I am so pleased that the people of Komani will get to watch me live.
“There could be no better way to reward them for their continued support other than winning this one for them.”
Funeka also took the opportunity to call out his detractors who believe he has overstayed his welcome inside the square jungle.
“They said I was finished when I lost to Tsiko Mulovhedzi but what did I do after that, I went on to win two fights in succession,” an angry Funeka said.
“I just think it is uncalled for anyone to tell me when I should retire because I will only do that when I feel that my body cannot carry me anymore.”
There will be two other title fights on the undercard, one of which will see SA super-middleweight title-holder Balimo Weliya defend against Lee Dyer, while SA women’s flyweight champion Noxolo Makanavu will risk her crown against Siphosethu Nxazonke.
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