Ali Funeka will not go away from boxing without a fight. This he proved when he defied the odds by outlasting the previously unbeaten Russian Viskhan Murzabeko to win the IBO welterweight international belt at Colosseum Sport Hall, Grozny, Russia at the weekend.
Funeka shared the stage with the WBA world heavyweight title clash between Russian Ruslan Chagaev who surrendered his crown to Australian Lucas Browne via a 10th round knockout in a fight refereed by SA Hall of Fame official Stan Christodoulou.
The tournament was aired live in US, giving “Rush Hour” an opportunity to prove to the world that he is far from finished despite the fact that he is 37 years old.
Funeka had been shipped to Russia to serve as an opponent to the rising 25-year-old star but someone forgot to tell the Mdantsane hero that he was not supposed to win.
Using his experienced amassed from 46 bouts with just five defeats, Funeka was able to flummox the on-rushing Russian foe despite being adjudged to have suffered a knockdown when his hand touched the ropes after a punch.
But the early scare never deterred him as he used his reach and height advantage to score with jabs and sneaky right hands.
With former world champion and legendary Vuyani Bungu calling the shots at the corner, Funeka fought a disciplined fight en route to a split decision when two of the judges had him winning by scores of 115-112 and 114-113 respectively while the third had it way off the mark at 111-117.
However, after all was said and done Funeka added yet another trinket to the WBO African welterweight crown he holds.
Having challenged for the world lightweight title three times, each time coming off within a whisker, Funeka’s boxing future was under a sharp microscope especially after he suffered a stunning fifth round stoppage defeat to unheralded Tsiko Mulovhedzi, and parted with his IBO crown.
And when he accepted the fight against the unbeaten Russian who is 12 years his junior, there were beliefs that the bout would spell the end of his career.
But like good wine, Funeka refused to wilt as he notched up yet another big victory with the eyes of the world fixed on him.
His promoter Ayanda Matiti said he had confidence on the lanky boxer.
“We came here representing the African continent and I cannot begin to describe how we feel right now,” he said from Russia. The Funeka camp is expected to land back in South Africa today.
Funeka silences critics with victory
Funeka shared the stage with the WBA world heavyweight title clash between Russian Ruslan Chagaev who surrendered his crown to Australian Lucas Browne via a 10th round knockout in a fight refereed by SA Hall of Fame official Stan Christodoulou.
The tournament was aired live in US, giving “Rush Hour” an opportunity to prove to the world that he is far from finished despite the fact that he is 37 years old.
Funeka had been shipped to Russia to serve as an opponent to the rising 25-year-old star but someone forgot to tell the Mdantsane hero that he was not supposed to win.
Using his experienced amassed from 46 bouts with just five defeats, Funeka was able to flummox the on-rushing Russian foe despite being adjudged to have suffered a knockdown when his hand touched the ropes after a punch.
But the early scare never deterred him as he used his reach and height advantage to score with jabs and sneaky right hands.
With former world champion and legendary Vuyani Bungu calling the shots at the corner, Funeka fought a disciplined fight en route to a split decision when two of the judges had him winning by scores of 115-112 and 114-113 respectively while the third had it way off the mark at 111-117.
However, after all was said and done Funeka added yet another trinket to the WBO African welterweight crown he holds.
Having challenged for the world lightweight title three times, each time coming off within a whisker, Funeka’s boxing future was under a sharp microscope especially after he suffered a stunning fifth round stoppage defeat to unheralded Tsiko Mulovhedzi, and parted with his IBO crown.
And when he accepted the fight against the unbeaten Russian who is 12 years his junior, there were beliefs that the bout would spell the end of his career.
But like good wine, Funeka refused to wilt as he notched up yet another big victory with the eyes of the world fixed on him.
His promoter Ayanda Matiti said he had confidence on the lanky boxer.
“We came here representing the African continent and I cannot begin to describe how we feel right now,” he said from Russia. The Funeka camp is expected to land back in South Africa today.
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