| Intro | South African boxer |
| Is |
Athlete Boxer |
| From | South Africa |
| Type | Sports |
| Gender | male |
| Birth | 28 March 1978, East London |
| Age: | 42 years |
Ali Funeka (born 28 March 1978) is a South African professional boxer. He is a former IBO welterweight champion and a three-time world lightweight title challenger.
Pro 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, although the championship was not on the line due to Campbell failing to make weight for the bout.
Later in 2009, he challenged Joan Guzman for the vacant IBF lightweight 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 suspencion 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.
In November 2011, Ali Funeka defeated Zolani Marali to capture the World Boxing Federation (WBF) junior-welterweight title in Johannesburg. Ali won by a split decision.