AMERICAN boxing promoters Gary Shaw and Cape Town born-Cedrick Kushner must fight tooth and nail to secure a rematch between their charge Ali Funeka and Dominican Joan Guzman.
AMERICAN boxing promoters Gary Shaw and Cape Town born-Cedrick Kushner must fight tooth and nail to secure a rematch between their charge Ali Funeka and Dominican Joan Guzman.
That is because although the fight in Quebec City in Canada on Saturday night was declared a draw, most international websites say Funeka won it fair and square.
This fight, which was presented by Guzman's promoter Oscar De La Hoya, was for the vacant IBF lightweight title. The belt was vacated by Nate Campbell on the scales in February before he fought and defeated Funeka via a split points decision in the US.
There were no knockdowns on Saturday night but the word from reliable sources who were at ringside is that "Rush Hour" did more than enough to win.
Two judges scored it a draw at 114-114 while Joseph Pasquale from New Jersey scored the fight 116-114 for Funeka.
The official result was a draw which means the title remained vacant.
Funeka became the second South African fighter to be on the wrong end of a controversial decision in Canada. The first was Dingaan "Rose of Soweto" Thobela who lost the WBC super middleweight belt in a dubious spilt decision to that country's fighter, Dave Hilton, in 2000.
At times like these it is clear why Promoter Branco Milenkovic always insists that one or two South African judges are appointed when his charges fight for world titles.
It is unclear if IBF will order a rematch, but there is no rule which provides for such a decision.
Funeka was ushered to battle by the Bungu brothers, Vuyani and Dudu.
Thobela warned Funeka on Friday not to leave the decision to the judges.
funeka whipped guzman: pundits
AMERICAN boxing promoters Gary Shaw and Cape Town born-Cedrick Kushner must fight tooth and nail to secure a rematch between their charge Ali Funeka and Dominican Joan Guzman.
AMERICAN boxing promoters Gary Shaw and Cape Town born-Cedrick Kushner must fight tooth and nail to secure a rematch between their charge Ali Funeka and Dominican Joan Guzman.
That is because although the fight in Quebec City in Canada on Saturday night was declared a draw, most international websites say Funeka won it fair and square.
This fight, which was presented by Guzman's promoter Oscar De La Hoya, was for the vacant IBF lightweight title. The belt was vacated by Nate Campbell on the scales in February before he fought and defeated Funeka via a split points decision in the US.
There were no knockdowns on Saturday night but the word from reliable sources who were at ringside is that "Rush Hour" did more than enough to win.
Two judges scored it a draw at 114-114 while Joseph Pasquale from New Jersey scored the fight 116-114 for Funeka.
The official result was a draw which means the title remained vacant.
Funeka became the second South African fighter to be on the wrong end of a controversial decision in Canada. The first was Dingaan "Rose of Soweto" Thobela who lost the WBC super middleweight belt in a dubious spilt decision to that country's fighter, Dave Hilton, in 2000.
At times like these it is clear why Promoter Branco Milenkovic always insists that one or two South African judges are appointed when his charges fight for world titles.
It is unclear if IBF will order a rematch, but there is no rule which provides for such a decision.
Funeka was ushered to battle by the Bungu brothers, Vuyani and Dudu.
Thobela warned Funeka on Friday not to leave the decision to the judges.