Ali Funeka will be the man @135 despite loss to Nate

the problem with South African fighters is that they show early promise but then fall by the wayside. And the promoters protect them way too much, i mean the last 4 IBF junior lightweight fights included 3 of them. If i was Ali i would move to the states and fight based there. Remember Mbulelo Botile and Welcome Ncita?

I agree with Diaz combinations causing problems, but his lack of power and I don't see him closing that gap on Funeka as well as Campbell did funeka's height and reach will frustrate diaz and diaz does not have the power to knock down funeka

And Funeka does have the defense to beat Diaz. Funeka does well on the inside for a man of his size, but he does not have the defense to. Diaz mixes up combinations very well and Campbell looked pretty predictable when throwing which allowed Funeka to figure him out. However I don't think that happens with Diaz. I agree with Diaz combinations causing problems, but his lack of power and I don't see him closing that gap on Funeka as well as Campbell did

Marquez may beat him but will never face him. He's technically one of best boxers not sure if his chin would hold up to Funeka's strength. Diaz don't have the footwork, power, ring generalship to beat Funeka. And Funeka does have the defense to beat Diaz. Funeka does well on the inside for a man of his size, but he does not have the defense to. Diaz mixes up combinations very well and Campbell looked pretty predictable when throwing which allowed Funeka to figure him out. However I don't think that happens with Diaz.

thread starter is on crack.. I think he won tonight but he did it against a weight drained campbell.

Marquez is overrated @ LW Diaz will embarass him... How can you dub JMM overrated, with a proven track record? At least, it has more to speak of then Diaz, Nate, or Funeka.

this dude is for real and he knows how to keep his distance and use his height and reach. he needs a new trainer though to help him with defense... if he got floyd sr. as a trainer he'd be near unstoppable at 135.

That is beyond the fact. Until he moves up or down. Marquez is the man to beat in the lightweight division. Marquez is a bad ass and all, but if he moves up to 140 that will be the end of him. His prime weight was 126, he only does this well at LW because hes a BMF. A 36 year old Marquez fighting at 140 is a bad idea. Funeka has a lot going for him. He is huge, he can crack, he boxes well, throws a lot of punches and is tough. Surely he could trouble a lot of guys at LW.

Marquez is overrated @ LW Diaz will embarass him... very possible he ko'd Casamayor but Katsidis almost did the same. I'm not sure he has the body fram to move up and be as successful as Pacman even tho he beat him already, lol

I don't see anybody in the LW tournament that can beat this guy. Juan Diaz may be able to get inside on him like Nate did but he doesn't have the power of Campbell. JD or JMM , or if Pac were to come back to 135 he could beat him also. Notice I said "could". Not would. You say "Funeka is the man @ 135". I say he's very good and fun to watch as well, but let's not discount the many fine fighters @ LW. He's got alot to prove yet...

Funeka looks good but Nate was gased. Diaz has better stamina. I'm not high on Funeka on just one fight where his opponent was gased and wasn't throwing much in the middle rounds.

What about Juan Marquez? I have him above Diaz and Campbell. Marquez is overrated @ LW Diaz will embarass him...

Marquez has no reason to stay @135 with Pacman, Hatton, Campbell at 140 That is beyond the fact. Until he moves up or down. Marquez is the man to beat in the lightweight division.

Marquez and Diaz would both beat him. Marquez would beat him with the right and left hook plus body. Diaz would kill his body all night long. Funeka is brilliant from midrange and he's not a bad inside fighter, but his defense is to bad for him to win. He still is competitive with them though. Marquez may beat him but will never face him. He's technically one of best boxers not sure if his chin would hold up to Funeka's strength. Diaz don't have the footwork, power, ring generalship to beat Funeka.

Marquez and Diaz would both beat him. Marquez would beat him with the right and left hook plus body. Diaz would kill his body all night long. Funeka is brilliant from midrange and he's not a bad inside fighter, but his defense is to bad for him to win. He still is competitive with them though.

I had funeka winning on points but he nearly got KOed on two occasions

What about Juan Marquez? I have him above Diaz and Campbell. Marquez has no reason to stay @135 with Pacman, Hatton, Campbell at 140

I agree 100%. He has everything he would need to take the division. The only fighter I couldn't see him beating right now is JMM.

I don't know about that.

I don't see anybody in the LW tournament that can beat this guy. Juan Diaz may be able to get inside on him like Nate did but he doesn't have the power of Campbell. What about Juan Marquez? I have him above Diaz and Campbell.