Ali Funeka | |
Nickname: | Rush Hour |
Weight: | |
Height: | 1.85 m |
Reach: | 183 cm |
Birth Date: | 28 March 1978 |
Birth Place: | Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, South Africa |
Style: | Orthodox |
Total: | 54 |
Wins: | 40 |
Ko: | 32 |
Losses: | 11 |
Draws: | 3 |
Ali Mziyanda Funeka (born 28 March 1978) is a South African professional boxer. He held the IBO welterweight world title from 2014 to 2015, previously challenged three times for a lightweight world title between 2009 and 2010, and held the South African super featherweight title between 2004–2006 and in 2014.
Funeka turned pro in 1995 at the 112 pound weight class. After moving up in weight and fighting mostly journeymen, he stepped up in class to challenge Mzonke Fana for the South African super featherweight title in 2002. Although he knocked Fana down in the 1st, Funeka lost a decision. After winning several regional titles, Funeka rose to fame with an upset knockout win over Zahir Raheem in an IBF Lightweight Title Eliminator in 2008.
The following year he would lose to champion Nate Campbell.
Later in 2009, he challenged Joan Guzmán for the vacant IBF lightweight world title but the fight was ruled a draw, although many felt Funeka had won.
In 2010, Funeka fought Guzman for the same vacant title of their previous encounter. Because Guzman was 9 pounds above the lightweight limit, the title became only on line for Funeka. During the fight, the South African experienced a knockdown as well as being outpointed by Guzman who prevailed by majority decision. In the post-fight drug test, Funeka tested positive for hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic banned by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC).[1] To salvage him, Funeka's manager said the diuretic taken was given by a doctor who told them that it was not a banned substance.[2] Nevertheless, the NSAC sentenced Funeka to a 9-month suspension as well making him pay a fine of $35,000. Funeka also had to return the bonus money he earned from Guzman's "overweight" penalty.[3]
On 19 November 2011, Funeka defeated Zolani Marali by split decision to capture the vacant WBF light-welterweight title in Johannesburg. The two met in a rematch the following year, on 8 December 2012, where Marali defeated Funeka by unanimous decision to win the WBF title.
On 15 November 2014, Funeka defeated Russian-German boxer Roman Belaev in a controversial technical decision for the vacant IBO welterweight world title. The fight was stopped due to a cut above Belaev's right eye, with the judges scoring the bout, in favor of Funeka.[4] [5] [6]
On 10 December 2015, Funeka faced Australian Jeff Horn for the WBO Inter-Continental welterweight title in Auckland, New Zealand. He lost by technical knockout in the sixth round. The bout was a title eliminator for WBO world title held by Manny Pacquiao.
Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
54 | Loss | Abass Baraou | TKO | 5 (10), | May 4, 2019 | ||||
53 | Win | 40–10–3 | Uyanda Nogogo | TKO | 6 (8) | Mar 17, 2019 | |||
52 | Loss | 39–10–3 | Gor Yeritsyan | UD | 8 | Jul 28, 2018 | |||
51 | Loss | 39–9–3 | Islam Dumanov | UD | 8 | Apr 20, 2018 | |||
50 | Loss | 39–8–3 | Karen Chukhadzhyan | UD | 8 | Dec 16, 2017 | |||
49 | Loss | 39–7–3 | Samuel Vargas | MD | 10 | Aug 19, 2017 | |||
48 | Loss | 39–6–3 | Jeff Horn | TKO | 6 (10), 0:30 | Dec 10, 2016 | |||
47 | Win | 39–5–3 | Justice Addy | TKO | 3 (12) | Jul 24, 2016 | |||
46 | Win | 38–5–3 | Viskhan Murzabekov | SD | 12 | Mar 5, 2016 | |||
45 | Win | 37–5–3 | Gideon Agbosu | TKO | 4 (12) | Dec 18, 2015 | |||
44 | Loss | 36–5–3 | Tsiko Mulovhedzi | TKO | 5 (12) | Jul 24, 2015 | |||
43 | Win | 36–4–3 | Roman Belaev | TD | 11 (12) | Nov 15, 2014 | |||
42 | Win | 35–4–3 | Botishepo Mandawe | TKO | 8 (12), 1:10 | Sep 21, 2014 | |||
41 | Win | 34–4–3 | Mzolisi Yoyo | KO | 4 (12) | May 31, 2014 | |||
40 | Win | 33–4–3 | Jason Bedeman | KO | 1 (8) | Sep 30, 2013 | |||
39 | Win | 32–4–3 | Vusi Dladla | KO | 1 (8) | Jul 6, 2013 | |||
38 | Loss | 31–4–3 | Zolani Marali | UD | 12 | Dec 8, 2012 | |||
37 | Win | 31–3–3 | Zolani Marali | SD | 12 | Nov 19, 2011 | |||
36 | Loss | 30–3–3 | Joan Guzmán | SD | 12 | Mar 27, 2010 | |||
35 | Draw | 30–2–3 | Joan Guzmán | MD | 12 | Nov 28, 2009 | |||
34 | Loss | 30–2–2 | Nate Campbell | MD | 12 | Feb 14, 2009 | |||
33 | Win | 30–1–2 | Zahir Raheem | KO | 4 (12) | Jul 5, 2008 | |||
32 | Win | 29–1–2 | JR Sollano | TKO | 4 (12), 2:25 | Sep 23, 2007 | |||
31 | Win | 28–1–2 | Yakubu Amidu | MD | 12 | Apr 1, 2007 | |||
30 | Win | 27–1–2 | Anthony Tshehla | KO | 4 (12), 1:01 | Oct 7, 2006 | |||
29 | Win | 26–1–2 | Patrick Masango | TKO | 5 (12), 2:46 | Jul 22, 2006 | |||
28 | Win | 25–1–2 | Dexter Delada | KO | 2 (12), 2:19 | May 27, 2006 | |||
27 | Win | 24–1–2 | Themba Tshicila | RTD | 7 (12), 0:10 | Dec 17, 2005 | |||
26 | Win | 23–1–2 | Gabriel Phakula | RTD | 8 (12), 0:10 | Aug 27, 2005 | |||
25 | Win | 22–1–2 | Danile Botman | TKO | 2 (12), 2:35 | Apr 30, 2005 | |||
24 | Win | 21–1–2 | Zukile Khandisa | KO | 1 (12), 0:54 | Oct 23, 2004 | |||
23 | Win | 20–1–2 | Elvis Makama | TKO | 5 (12), 0:45 | Jul 31, 2004 | |||
22 | Win | 19–1–2 | Gabriel Phakula | SD | 12 | Feb 21, 2004 | |||
21 | Win | 18–1–2 | Vumile Mangqase | KO | 1 (6) | Aug 2, 2013 | |||
20 | Win | 17–1–2 | Sello Hanong | TKO | 3 (6) | Jul 11, 2003 | |||
19 | Win | 16–1–2 | Dumisane Mofu | TKO | 4 (8) | Apr 5, 2003 | |||
18 | Win | 15–1–2 | Xola Ntengento | TKO | 5 (8) | Dec 14, 2002 | |||
17 | Loss | 14–1–2 | Mzonke Fana | MD | 12 | Jul 12, 2002 | |||
16 | Win | 14–0–2 | Mncedisi Kholiwe | TKO | 1 (6) | Oct 28, 2001 | |||
15 | Win | 13–0–2 | Luntu Giana | TKO | 5 (–) | May 27, 2001 | |||
14 | Win | 12–0–2 | Wiseman Yonana | TKO | 1 (6) | Feb 25, 2001 | |||
13 | Win | 11–0–2 | Siyathemba Xaka | KO | 3 (6) | Oct 15, 2000 | |||
12 | Win | 10–0–2 | Mzwanele Sam | PTS | 6 | May 14, 2000 | |||
11 | Win | 9–0–2 | Xolani Jacobs | TKO | 6 (6) | Oct 17, 1999 | |||
10 | Win | 8–0–2 | Edward Mpofu | PTS | 8 | Aug 25, 1999 | |||
9 | Win | 7–0–2 | Phumlani Menziwa | TKO | 1 (8) | Aug 15, 1999 | |||
8 | Win | 6–0–2 | Xolile Mchiza | KO | 1 (6) | Jul 10, 1999 | |||
7 | Win | 5–0–2 | Thembinkosi Makwedinana | KO | 1 (4) | Apr 18, 1999 | |||
6 | Win | 4–0–2 | Phapama Danisa | KO | 2 (6) | Mar 27, 1999 | |||
5 | Win | 3–0–2 | Vulindela Mlenzana | KO | 6 (6) | Aug 30, 1998 | |||
4 | Win | 2–0–2 | Vuyani Jobo | TKO | 2 (6) | Jun 1, 1997 | |||
3 | Draw | 1–0–2 | Nkosinathi Ndela | PTS | 4 | Apr 27, 1997 | |||
2 | Win | 1–0–1 | Anele Mqoboli | PTS | 4 | Oct 21, 1995 | |||
1 | Draw | 0–0–1 | Simphiwe Xabendlini | PTS | 4 | Sep 24, 1995 |