By Mark Vester
The camp of Ali Funeka is irate after learning that the IBF has approved Yuri Romanov vs. Fernando Angulo for the vacant IBF lightweight title. As reported some time ago on BoxingScene.com, Joan Guzman was originally approved by the IBF to face Romanov for the vacant title, but Guzman was later pulled after the IBF learned that he was still under an administrative suspension by the state of Mississippi [for not making weight/moving forward with last year's bout against Nate Campbell].
After a review of the rankings, the IBF approved Angulo as the replacement for Guzman. There are several key issues that Funeka's camp is bringing up.
1. Angulo fought over the weight [of 135] for his last three fights, which includes his IBF eliminator win over Ranee Ganoy in December 08.
2. Angulo is coming off a loss, also over the weight and the fight took place on the Feb. 14 undercard to Funeka's fight with Nate Campbell.
3. The title became vacant after Campbell was over the weight for the fight with Funeka. Funeka lost a close decision in the fight but since he actually made the weight - that should give him a chance to fight for the vacant title, and not Angulo who hasn't made lightweight limit since November 2007.
Send News Tips and Comments To Mark Vester @ boxingvester@gmail.com
