By Ryan Songalia

Deceased comedian Rodney Dangerfield would have had a field day with Nate Campbell's 11-month reign as lightweight champion. Respect has by no means been heaped upon "The Galaxxy Warrior" in overabundance.

No matter what Nate Campbell accomplishes in his career, his five losses continue to haunt him. Never mind that since moving to lightweight in 2005, Campbell has only lost once, won two elimination bouts and dominated the then-unbeaten Juan Diaz, boosting three title belts in the process.

Despite besting the acknowledged man of the division, Campbell has been shelved while Diaz was immediately offered another HBO date.

Campbell's next fight, against mandatory challenger Ali Funeka on February 14 at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida, was originally slated for the co-feature slot of the HBO Boxing After Dark telecast, behind junior-middleweight prospect Alfredo Angulo's showcase against Ricardo Mayorga.

His division superiority is challenged by Juan Manuel Marquez and the "Ring Magazine Belt" which has been given greater credence by some media outlets, even though the former featherweight has competed only once in the division.

The esteem typically bestowed upon a world champion was within his reach in September, as he prepared to clash with unbeaten two-division champ Joan Guzman. Guzman failed to make weight, voiding the title defense. And just hours before Showtime was set to begin broadcasting, Guzman informed the world that he would not be performing. Campbell was left hanging.

While many fighters in his position might have become discouraged, Campbell's quest for respect continues to motivate him heading into his title defense against Funeka.

"I'm not looking past this guy at all," says the IBF/WBO lightweight titlist from Jacksonville, FL, who holds a record of 32-5-1 (25 KO). "He's the one thing that matters to me. Everybody is like, 'You're overlooking Funeka.' No I'm not, I'm looking right at him. I'm getting ready to do some very seriously violent things to him.

"He said some stuff I didn't like. He said there was nothing special about Nate Campbell and that he doesn't need any special sparring partners because he knows me like the back of my hand. There is a certain amount of respect he should give me as a man. But for someone who hasn't fought anybody to say something like that about me has really gotten my anger up."

John David Jackson, Campbell's trainer, takes the opposite view of popular opinion going into this fight. Jackson feels that it's Funeka who is underestimating Campbell, not vice versa.

"The other kid said he didn't need any special sparring for Nate because Nate's not special," Jackson says. "That will be his downfall. He may be prepared to survive 12 rounds, but with that kind of pressure with 8 ounce gloves and having to make that weight, those will be tell-tale signs for him."

Funeka, nicknamed "Rush Hour", remains an unknown entity outside of his native South Africa. He earned his mandatory position by knocking out Zahir Raheem in four rounds, becoming the first fighter to stop the contender in 33 fights. The 6'1" Funeka's record of 30-1 (25 KO) suggests that he is a big puncher. His only defeat came at the hands of former IBF super featherweight champ Mzonke Fana in 2002.

Despite striking his ire, Campbell says he knows little about his opponent.

"I don't even know that much about him but I have an idea. Watching tape can sometimes hurt you because I can't guarantee he'll fight me the way he fought someone else. I'm ready for everything he is going to bring."

"I think this matchup is a very good one for Nate," Jackson says. "I watched him on Youtube and didn't see much that really caught my eye. Any fighter who is fighting for the world title is dangerous so we can't take him lightly. Being 6'1, that means he had to cut some weight to make 135. At that weight I don't think he's strong enough physically to withstand the body attack that Nate is going to put on him.

"I see a good fight while it lasts, I'm not saying a close fight, just a good fight."

Despite the cancellation of the Guzman fight, Campbell has remained in the gym maintaining his fitness. Still, a world of distractions continue to surround Campbell, distractions that can easily divert one's focus from the task at hand.

This fight will be his last with Don King Productions, his independence granted after filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy in October. He has six children to support, along with a wife whom he tied the knot with in May. Campbell has yet to recoup his lost purse from the aborted Guzman fight.

"You guys make it out to be more than it is," Campbell says, referencing the media at large. "You all bring it up but I don't walk through my life worrying about the stuff that you're talking about. I live my life and let the rest be what it is."

In an economy as unpromising as today's, the significance of finance cannot be overlooked. Campbell himself realizes this, and would have to be ignorant to be oblivious to the future paydays that can be attained only through clearing this hurdle.

Campbell's WBO mandatory, Marco Antonio Barrera, has emerged from retirement under the promotion of, yes you guessed it, Don King Productions. Barrera's victory over Sammy Ventura, a career stepping stone with 17 knockout losses, has earned him that lofty status.

More formidably, Barrera will risk his number one status against England's Amir Khan next month, who is following in the footsteps of Ricky Hatton as a rising box office force in Great Britain. Regardless of who emerges victorious, both fighters would likely provide Campbell with his biggest payday to date.

"I want to fight the very best guys out there but I want to get paid for it. People say that you shouldn't focus on making money alone, but I think I deserve to make a living doing what I do. I'm not telling anybody how to do their business, but I'm not going to let anybody mess with my earning potential."

To get where Campbell is today has been a struggle, one that has seen him rebound and re-emerge from the deepest abysses this sport has to offer. Campbell appreciates everything he has because of how hard he has had to work for it.

"People fail to realize something, I still want to be world champion. I haven't been respected for what I've accomplished. My goal is still to be world champion."

Ryan Songalia is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. All comments and questions should be sent to songaliaboxing@aol.com .