Katsidis Turns Down Funeka Fight On HBO

[Heru]

With Robert Guerrero out of his March 27 lightweight fight against Michael Katsidis because of his wife's serious illness, interim junior welterweight titlist Marcos Maidana's defense against Victor Cayo moves up to main event status on HBO's "Boxing After Dark" card at a site to be determined. The new co-feature isn't set yet, but the leading possibility is a rematch between Ali Funeka and Joan Guzman, who would meet for a vacant lightweight belt. Katsidis was offered Funeka, but he turned it down. Funeka pummeled Guzman when they met for the vacant belt on HBO in November, but it was ruled a draw in one of the most controversial decisions of 2009. Guzman's side is willing to take the fight. Gary Shaw, who co-promotes South Africa's Funeka, said he was waiting to hear back from Funeka's manager about accepting the bout. Funeka-Guzman II became possible when Rolando Reyes declined to face Funeka because he didn't want to go to South Africa under the terms of Branco Sports' winning purse bid. Once Reyes declined, the IBF moved to its next available contender, which was Guzman. Dan Rafael

[mangler jr]

I don't understand this at all. What is it with these guys ducking fights these days.

Boxing has gone soft.

[El Castigador]

Shameful........

First JMM ducks Khan now Katsidis ducks Funeka.

[TBear]

If there was only one title and no other options fighters would not turn away these opportunities.

[#1Assassin]

i knew ppl were gonna avoid funeka like a mother****er.

a 6'1 LW with knockout power and boxing skills. not to mention lots of heart and toughness.

ofcourse hes south african meaning he doesnt have a strong following in the states, and isnt very well known. he put on great fights against campbell and guzman, but didnt officially get the win so they dont have to fight him.

really sad, i hope funeka doesnt fall victim of boxing politics. he really seems like a special fighter to me. he'd knock katsidis **** in the dirt for sure, no doubt about that.

[K-Nan]

Nobody wants any part of Funeka.

[Bushbaby]

Funeka is a beast,In my opinion he beats all at 135,except for maybe Valero,that 1 is 50/50!!

[Dorian]

Everyone ducking and dodging these days..

[mangler jr]

Everyone ducking and dodging these days..

Yet you still rock that Berto avy...
He's the worst of all of them.

[J.R]

I don't understand this at all. What is it with these guys ducking fights these days.

Boxing has gone soft.

Everyone ducking and dodging these days..

Second that, not happy lately.