# Ali Funeka

Ali Mziyanda Funeka (born 28 March 1978) is a South African professional boxer. He held the IBO welterweight world title from 2014 to 2015, previously challenged three times for a lightweight world title between 2009 and 2010, and held the South African super featherweight title between 2004–2006 and in 2014.

## Professional career

Funeka turned pro in 1995 at the 112 pound weight class. After moving up in weight and fighting mostly journeymen, he stepped up in class to challenge Mzonke Fana for the South African super featherweight title in 2002. Although he knocked Fana down in the 1st, Funeka lost a decision. After winning several regional titles, Funeka rose to fame with an upset knockout win over Zahir Raheem in an IBF Lightweight Title Eliminator in 2008.
The following year he would lose to champion Nate Campbell.
Later in 2009, he challenged Joan Guzmán for the vacant IBF lightweight world title but the fight was ruled a draw, although many felt Funeka had won.
In 2010, Funeka fought Guzman for the same vacant title of their previous encounter. Because Guzman was 9 pounds above the lightweight limit, the title became only on line for Funeka. During the fight, the South African experienced a knockdown as well as being outpointed by Guzman who prevailed by majority decision. In the post-fight drug test, Funeka tested positive for hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic banned by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC). To salvage him, Funeka's manager said the diuretic taken was given by a doctor who told them that it was not a banned substance. Nevertheless, the NSAC sentenced Funeka to a 9-month suspension as well making him pay a fine of $35,000. Funeka also had to return the bonus money he earned from Guzman's "overweight" penalty.
On 19 November 2011, Funeka defeated Zolani Marali by split decision to capture the vacant WBF light-welterweight title in Johannesburg. The two met in a rematch the following year, on 8 December 2012, where Marali defeated Funeka by unanimous decision to win the WBF title.
On 15 November 2014, Funeka defeated Russian-German boxer Roman Belaev in a controversial technical decision for the vacant IBO welterweight world title. The fight was stopped due to a cut above Belaev's right eye, with the judges scoring the bout 104-105, 104-105 and 109-100 in favor of Funeka.
On 10 December 2015, Funeka faced Australian Jeff Horn for the WBO Inter-Continental welterweight title in Auckland, New Zealand. He lost by technical knockout in the sixth round. The bout was a title eliminator for WBO world title held by Manny Pacquiao.

## Professional boxing record

| 54 fights | 40 wins | 11 losses |
| By knockout | 32 | 3 |
| By decision | 8 | 8 |
| Draws | 3 | 3 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
| 54 | Loss | 40–11–3 | Abass Baraou | TKO | 5 (10), 2:52 | May 4, 2019 | Fraport Arena, Frankfurt, Hessen, Germany | |
| 53 | Win | 40–10–3 | Uyanda Nogogo | TKO | 6 (8) | Mar 17, 2019 | Orient Theatre, East London, Eastern Cape | |
| 52 | Loss | 39–10–3 | Gor Yeritsyan | UD | 8 | Jul 28, 2018 | Galaktika Culture Centre, Estosadok, Russia | |
| 51 | Loss | 39–9–3 | Islam Dumanov | UD | 8 | Apr 20, 2018 | Pabellon Municipal, Sedavi, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain | |
| 50 | Loss | 39–8–3 | Karen Chukhadzhyan | UD | 8 | Dec 16, 2017 | Ice Palace "Terminal", Brovary, Ukraine | |
| 49 | Loss | 39–7–3 | Samuel Vargas | MD | 10 | Aug 19, 2017 | Powerade Centre, Brampton, Ontario | For WBA–NABA welterweight title |
| 48 | Loss | 39–6–3 | Jeff Horn | TKO | 6 (10), 0:30 | Dec 10, 2016 | Vector Arena, Auckland, New Zealand | For WBO Inter-Continental welterweight title |
| 47 | Win | 39–5–3 | Justice Addy | TKO | 3 (12) | Jul 24, 2016 | Queenstown, Eastern Cape | Won vacant WBO Africa welterweight title |
| 46 | Win | 38–5–3 | Viskhan Murzabekov | SD | 12 | Mar 5, 2016 | Colosseum Sport Hall, Grozny, Russia | |
| 45 | Win | 37–5–3 | Gideon Agbosu | TKO | 4 (12) | Dec 18, 2015 | Orient Theatre, East London, Eastern Cape | Won WBO Africa welterweight title |
| 44 | Loss | 36–5–3 | Tsiko Mulovhedzi | TKO | 5 (12) | Jul 24, 2015 | International Convention Centre, East London, Eastern Cape | Lost IBO welterweight title |
| 43 | Win | 36–4–3 | Roman Belaev | TD | 11 (12) | Nov 15, 2014 | Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, Gauteng | Won vacant IBO welterweight title |
| 42 | Win | 35–4–3 | Botishepo Mandawe | TKO | 8 (12), 1:10 | Sep 21, 2014 | Mdantsane Indoor Centre, Mdantsane, Eastern Cape | Retained South African super lightweight title |
| 41 | Win | 34–4–3 | Mzolisi Yoyo | KO | 4 (12) | May 31, 2014 | Orient Theatre, East London, Eastern Cape | Won South African super lightweight title |
| 40 | Win | 33–4–3 | Jason Bedeman | KO | 1 (8) | Sep 30, 2013 | Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, Gauteng | |
| 39 | Win | 32–4–3 | Vusi Dladla | KO | 1 (8) | Jul 6, 2013 | Orient Theatre, East London, Eastern Cape | |
| 38 | Loss | 31–4–3 | Zolani Marali | UD | 12 | Dec 8, 2012 | Orient Theatre, East London, Eastern Cape | Lost WBF super lightweight title |
| 37 | Win | 31–3–3 | Zolani Marali | SD | 12 | Nov 19, 2011 | Monte Casino, Johannesburg, Gauteng | Won vacant WBF super lightweight title |
| 36 | Loss | 30–3–3 | Joan Guzmán | SD | 12 | Mar 27, 2010 | Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Paradise, Nevada | For vacant IBF lightweight title |
| 35 | Draw | 30–2–3 | Joan Guzmán | MD | 12 | Nov 28, 2009 | Pepsi Coliseum, Quebec City | For vacant IBF lightweight title |
| 34 | Loss | 30–2–2 | Nate Campbell | MD | 12 | Feb 14, 2009 | BankAtlantic Center, Sunrise, Florida | For WBA (Super), IBF, and WBO lightweight titles |
| 33 | Win | 30–1–2 | Zahir Raheem | KO | 4 (12) | Jul 5, 2008 | Jan Smuts Stadium, East London, Eastern Cape | |
| 32 | Win | 29–1–2 | JR Sollano | TKO | 4 (12), 2:25 | Sep 23, 2007 | Orient Theatre, East London, Eastern Cape | Retained WBC International lightweight title |
| 31 | Win | 28–1–2 | Yakubu Amidu | MD | 12 | Apr 1, 2007 | Orient Theatre, East London, Eastern Cape | Retained WBC International lightweight title |
| 30 | Win | 27–1–2 | Anthony Tshehla | KO | 4 (12), 1:01 | Oct 7, 2006 | Orient Theatre, East London, Eastern Cape | Retained WBC International lightweight title |
| 29 | Win | 26–1–2 | Patrick Masango | TKO | 5 (12), 2:46 | Jul 22, 2006 | Orient Theatre, East London, Eastern Cape | Retained South African super featherweight title |
| 28 | Win | 25–1–2 | Dexter Delada | KO | 2 (12), 2:19 | May 27, 2006 | Orient Theatre, East London, Eastern Cape | Won vacant WBC International lightweight title |
| 27 | Win | 24–1–2 | Themba Tshicila | RTD | 7 (12), 0:10 | Dec 17, 2005 | Orient Theatre, East London, Eastern Cape | Retained South African super featherweight title |
| 26 | Win | 23–1–2 | Gabriel Phakula | RTD | 8 (12), 0:10 | Aug 27, 2005 | Orient Theatre, East London, Eastern Cape | Retained South African super featherweight title |
| 25 | Win | 22–1–2 | Danile Botman | TKO | 2 (12), 2:35 | Apr 30, 2005 | Mdantsane Indoor Centre, Mdantsane, Eastern Cape | Retained South African super featherweight title |
| 24 | Win | 21–1–2 | Zukile Khandisa | KO | 1 (12), 0:54 | Oct 23, 2004 | Orient Theatre, East London, Eastern Cape | Retained South African super featherweight title |
| 23 | Win | 20–1–2 | Elvis Makama | TKO | 5 (12), 0:45 | Jul 31, 2004 | Orient Theatre, East London, Eastern Cape | Retained South African super featherweight title |
| 22 | Win | 19–1–2 | Gabriel Phakula | SD | 12 | Feb 21, 2004 | Orient Theatre, East London, Eastern Cape | Won South African super featherweight title |
| 21 | Win | 18–1–2 | Vumile Mangqase | KO | 1 (6) | Aug 2, 2013 | Orient Theatre, East London, Eastern Cape | |
| 20 | Win | 17–1–2 | Sello Hanong | TKO | 3 (6) | Jul 11, 2003 | Carnival City, Brakpan, Gauteng | |
| 19 | Win | 16–1–2 | Dumisane Mofu | TKO | 4 (8) | Apr 5, 2003 | Orient Theatre, East London, Eastern Cape | |
| 18 | Win | 15–1–2 | Xola Ntengento | TKO | 5 (8) | Dec 14, 2002 | Mdantsane Indoor Centre, Mdantsane, Eastern Cape | |
| 17 | Loss | 14–1–2 | Mzonke Fana | MD | 12 | Jul 12, 2002 | Oliver Thambo Hall, Khayelitsha, Cape Town, South Africa | For South African super featherweight title |
| 16 | Win | 14–0–2 | Mncedisi Kholiwe | TKO | 1 (6) | Oct 28, 2001 | Mdantsane Indoor Centre, Mdantsane, Eastern Cape | |
| 15 | Win | 13–0–2 | Luntu Giana | TKO | 5 (–) | May 27, 2001 | Mdantsane Indoor Centre, Mdantsane, Eastern Cape | |
| 14 | Win | 12–0–2 | Wiseman Yonana | TKO | 1 (6) | Feb 25, 2001 | Mdantsane Indoor Centre, Mdantsane, Eastern Cape | |
| 13 | Win | 11–0–2 | Siyathemba Xaka | KO | 3 (6) | Oct 15, 2000 | Mdantsane Indoor Centre, Mdantsane, Eastern Cape | |
| 12 | Win | 10–0–2 | Mzwanele Sam | PTS | 6 | May 14, 2000 | Orient Theatre, East London, Eastern Cape | |
| 11 | Win | 9–0–2 | Xolani Jacobs | TKO | 6 (6) | Oct 17, 1999 | Centenary Hall, New Brighton, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape | |
| 10 | Win | 8–0–2 | Edward Mpofu | PTS | 8 | Aug 25, 1999 | Graceland Hotel Casino, Secunda, Mpumalanga | |
| 9 | Win | 7–0–2 | Phumlani Menziwa | TKO | 1 (8) | Aug 15, 1999 | Gompo Hall, East London, Eastern Cape | |
| 8 | Win | 6–0–2 | Xolile Mchiza | KO | 1 (6) | Jul 10, 1999 | Needs Camp, East London, Eastern Cape | |
| 7 | Win | 5–0–2 | Thembinkosi Makwedinana | KO | 1 (4) | Apr 18, 1999 | Orient Theatre, East London, Eastern Cape | |
| 6 | Win | 4–0–2 | Phapama Danisa | KO | 2 (6) | Mar 27, 1999 | Mdantsane, Eastern Cape | |
| 5 | Win | 3–0–2 | Vulindela Mlenzana | KO | 6 (6) | Aug 30, 1998 | Orient Theatre, East London, Eastern Cape | |
| 4 | Win | 2–0–2 | Vuyani Jobo | TKO | 2 (6) | Jun 1, 1997 | Gompo Hall, East London, Eastern Cape | |
| 3 | Draw | 1–0–2 | Nkosinathi Ndela | PTS | 4 | Apr 27, 1997 | Gompo Hall, East London, Eastern Cape | |
| 2 | Win | 1–0–1 | Anele Mqoboli | PTS | 4 | Oct 21, 1995 | East London, Eastern Cape | |
| 1 | Draw | 0–0–1 | Simphiwe Xabendlini | PTS | 4 | Sep 24, 1995 | Mdantsane Indoor Centre, Mdantsane, Eastern Cape | Professional debut |