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IBF to call for purse bids after talks on Funeka-Guzman fight collapses
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2009/09/08
THE International Boxing Federation (IBF) is expected to call for purse bids later this week for the lightweight title fight between American Joan Guzman and local fighter Ali Funeka.
This after a breakdown in negotiations between the fighters’ respective promoters.
The pair are scheduled to fight for the title vacated by Nate Campbell earlier this year, but their promoters Golden Boy Promotions (GBP) and Gary Shaw Productions/Eyethu Promotions had failed to reach agreement on purses when the deadline lapsed on Friday.
Campbell failed to make the weight limit ahead of his title fight against Funeka in February this year.
Funeka’s camp rejected Oscar de la Hoya owned GBP’s proposal to promote the fight in Canada on November 28, saying the money offered was “too paltry” and the parties have not held further discussions.
Although the deadline has lapsed, the promoter, Mnguni, said they had given up and want the fight contested through purse bids.
He also did not rule out putting in his own bid – with the assistance of financial backers.
“That is the only issue standing in the way. “Their offer was not satisfactory to Ali’s camp and we told them to go and discuss it and come back with a better offer,” said Mnguni yesterday.
“They have not come back to us and the deadline has also elapsed so we assume no agreement can be reached,” Mnguni said yesterday.
Although the decision (to reject the bid) was taken by both Funeka’s local and overseas management as a collective, only the American chapter of Funeka’s management took part in negotiations with Golden Boy Promotions.
Therefore it would be up to them to notify the IBF of the breakdown in negotiations.
“Together with Gary Shaw and Cedric Kushner later tonight (Monday night SA time), we will take the decision to notify the IBF.
“The onus is on the promoters involved to inform them that we have not reached agreement and they will do so during their regular office hours,” he also said. - By SABELO SKITI
Older article................................
Joan Guzman To Face Ali Funeka For Vacant IBF Lightweight Belt In December?
by James Slater - Unbeaten former WBO super-bantamweight and super-featherweight champion Joan Guzman of The Dominican Republic has proven to be a most inactive fighter as of late. Due largely to his to problems making weight, the 33-year-old has fought just once a year since December of 2006, and he has not fought at all this year so far. However, according to BoxRec and to whispers that have been heard for some time now, this may change in December, as "The Sycuan Warrior" is listed as facing South Africa's Ali Funeka for the vacant IBF lightweight strap..
A very good match-up, the proposed December 5th fight will pit two very talented and very durable 135-pound operators going at it for a meaningful title. 31-year-old Funeka, 30-2-2(25) is best known due to three things: his freakish height for the weight (6'1") and his last two fights. Back in July of last year, Funeka arrived on the big stage with a ****, as he took out the crafty Zahir Raheem inside just four-rounds. This win earned the South African a shot at Nate Campbell's crown, and the two fought in February of this year; with Campbell winning via a very close majority verdict. However, due to Campbell's inability to make 135-pounds (ironically, after the scheduled fight between Campbell and Guzman fell apart due to Guzman's failure to make 135), the win did not count as a defence on the part of "The Galaxxy Warrior."
Still, though he failed to take any of the belts Campbell subsequently gave up so as to move up in weight, Funeka showed once again how good he is. He now looks like getting another chance to grab a belt against Guzman. Both men may well be suffering from ring-rust by the time the fight rolls around (Guzman especially) and it will be interesting to see if making the weight will take a lot out of Guzman.
Also, Guzman, who has fought just one time at lightweight (in his last fight, back in December of last year), will be giving away a not insignificant amount of height and reach at 5'7" and 67" (compared to 72" for Funeka). A tough fight for both men, the edge, maybe only a smallish one, looks like it could go to Funeka. Has some of Guzman's desire left him? Has he peaked already?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2009/09/08
THE International Boxing Federation (IBF) is expected to call for purse bids later this week for the lightweight title fight between American Joan Guzman and local fighter Ali Funeka.
This after a breakdown in negotiations between the fighters’ respective promoters.
The pair are scheduled to fight for the title vacated by Nate Campbell earlier this year, but their promoters Golden Boy Promotions (GBP) and Gary Shaw Productions/Eyethu Promotions had failed to reach agreement on purses when the deadline lapsed on Friday.
Campbell failed to make the weight limit ahead of his title fight against Funeka in February this year.
Funeka’s camp rejected Oscar de la Hoya owned GBP’s proposal to promote the fight in Canada on November 28, saying the money offered was “too paltry” and the parties have not held further discussions.
Although the deadline has lapsed, the promoter, Mnguni, said they had given up and want the fight contested through purse bids.
He also did not rule out putting in his own bid – with the assistance of financial backers.
“That is the only issue standing in the way. “Their offer was not satisfactory to Ali’s camp and we told them to go and discuss it and come back with a better offer,” said Mnguni yesterday.
“They have not come back to us and the deadline has also elapsed so we assume no agreement can be reached,” Mnguni said yesterday.
Although the decision (to reject the bid) was taken by both Funeka’s local and overseas management as a collective, only the American chapter of Funeka’s management took part in negotiations with Golden Boy Promotions.
Therefore it would be up to them to notify the IBF of the breakdown in negotiations.
“Together with Gary Shaw and Cedric Kushner later tonight (Monday night SA time), we will take the decision to notify the IBF.
“The onus is on the promoters involved to inform them that we have not reached agreement and they will do so during their regular office hours,” he also said. - By SABELO SKITI
Older article................................
Joan Guzman To Face Ali Funeka For Vacant IBF Lightweight Belt In December?
by James Slater - Unbeaten former WBO super-bantamweight and super-featherweight champion Joan Guzman of The Dominican Republic has proven to be a most inactive fighter as of late. Due largely to his to problems making weight, the 33-year-old has fought just once a year since December of 2006, and he has not fought at all this year so far. However, according to BoxRec and to whispers that have been heard for some time now, this may change in December, as "The Sycuan Warrior" is listed as facing South Africa's Ali Funeka for the vacant IBF lightweight strap..
A very good match-up, the proposed December 5th fight will pit two very talented and very durable 135-pound operators going at it for a meaningful title. 31-year-old Funeka, 30-2-2(25) is best known due to three things: his freakish height for the weight (6'1") and his last two fights. Back in July of last year, Funeka arrived on the big stage with a ****, as he took out the crafty Zahir Raheem inside just four-rounds. This win earned the South African a shot at Nate Campbell's crown, and the two fought in February of this year; with Campbell winning via a very close majority verdict. However, due to Campbell's inability to make 135-pounds (ironically, after the scheduled fight between Campbell and Guzman fell apart due to Guzman's failure to make 135), the win did not count as a defence on the part of "The Galaxxy Warrior."
Still, though he failed to take any of the belts Campbell subsequently gave up so as to move up in weight, Funeka showed once again how good he is. He now looks like getting another chance to grab a belt against Guzman. Both men may well be suffering from ring-rust by the time the fight rolls around (Guzman especially) and it will be interesting to see if making the weight will take a lot out of Guzman.
Also, Guzman, who has fought just one time at lightweight (in his last fight, back in December of last year), will be giving away a not insignificant amount of height and reach at 5'7" and 67" (compared to 72" for Funeka). A tough fight for both men, the edge, maybe only a smallish one, looks like it could go to Funeka. Has some of Guzman's desire left him? Has he peaked already?
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