By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Promoter Gary Shaw believes that IBF/WBO mandatory lightweight challenger Ali “The Rush Hour” Funeka of South Africa who is “very under-rated” and champion Nate Campbell (32-5-1, 25 KO’s) was making a mistake looking past him.
The 6’1” Funeka (30-1-2, 25 KO’s) earned the title shot with a stunning fourth round knockout over fancied Zahir Raheem last July 5, 2008. Rahim had previously beaten Mexican legend Erik Morales and also knocked out former two-division Filipino world champion Luisito Espinosa when Espinosa was on the decline.
Shaw told BoxingScene.com, insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports that Campbell “I don’t think Campbell is giving him any respect at all” noting that Funeka “is tall and can punch.”
Promoter Don King has titled the fight card which will be staged in Sunrise, Florida as “The Valentine’s Day Massacre” with Campbell who turns 37 on March 3 heavily favored following his big win over previously undefeated Juan Diaz to win the IBF/WBA and WBO lightweight titles. Campbell relinquished the WBA belt after declining to face the mandatory challenger Paulus Moses who went on to win the title with a twelve round unanimous decision over Yusuke Kobori in Yokohama, Japan on January 3.
It will be the hard-hitting Funeka’s first fight outside his native South Africa and the consensus is that if he doesn’t freeze, Funeka has a puncher’s chance.
Journalist Scott Foster of Fight Wire Images quoted Campbell who said “What I’m going to bring to the table is pain amd he ain’t gonna like none of it. Funeka says he doesn’t need special sparring for me because I’m an open book. Well, I don’t know what book he’s been reading – he’s been running his mouth and I like it. I’m gonna hit him in the mouth and then I;m gonna show the world how to walk through somebody’s business before wiping my feet on their rug.”
