| |
|
CAMPBELL READY TO DEFEND TITLE AGAINST FUNEKA
By Ronnie Nathanielsz PhilBoxing.com Wed, 17 Sep 2008

American Nate Campbell is keen to defend his IBF lightweight title against South Africa ?s Ali Funeka before the end of the year.
Campbell, who also holds the WBA and WBO belts, has said he would like to fight Funeka, the mandatory challenger, before December.
The champion was scheduled to defend his titles against Joan Guzman at the weekend but the bout was cancelled when Guzman was unable to make the weight and later withdrew altogether, saying he was not feeling well. Campbell has since lashed out at the man from the Dominican Republic , calling hom a clown.
"Maybe (promoter) Don King can work something out to make the fight against Funeka before December," he said on Monday. "The WBO said since I was within the limit and I was prepared to fight, they would allow me to pursue other options if I so wish," he was quoted as saying.
"But I still have mandatory obligation with Funeka, which I want to fulfil,? he added.
Funeka was hoping to fight the winner of the bout between Campbell and Guzman, which was regarded as an optional defence by the IBF.
Funeka earned the mandatory status by knocking out Zahir Raheem in four rounds in East London on July 5.
His promoter, Mzi Mnguni, said on Monday they would wait for the IBF to respond before deciding what to do. Mnguni said he was hoping the IBF would order Campbell to fight Funeka in his next bout. "That would be the right thing to do because Ali is a rightful mandatory challenger and deserves his chance."
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
WOLVERHAMPTON FIGHT WEEK: OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED FOR WALKER-EGGINGTON , Sat, 02 May 2026Cebuano Elmo Traya Eyes WBF World Title in Georgia By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 02 May 2026Jeter Promotions Yvgeniy Pavlov on a Championship Track , Sat, 02 May 20262nd SIGLO 100km Ultramarathon set May 30-31 By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 02 May 2026Let's Go to San Manuel, Tarlac By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 02 May 2026Inoue vs Nakatani Make Weight, Set for Historic Showdown By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 01 May 2026Inoue vs Nakatani & Benavidez vs Ramirez Makes For Blockbuster Saturday By Chris Carlson, , Fri, 01 May 2026Magramo is new PBO super fly champ By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 01 May 2026Blow-By-Blow makes rousing return , Fri, 01 May 2026Kyle Amoroto rules China Pool meet By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 01 May 2026Zurdo Ramirez vs Benavidez (Fight Analysis) By Ralph Rimpell, , Fri, 01 May 2026WOLVERHAMPTON FIGHT WEEK FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AS WALKER AND EGGINGTON GET SET FOR SHOWDOWN , Fri, 01 May 2026VARGAS AND WHITTAKER AIM TO SHINE ON HUGE ZAYAS-BOOTS BROOKLYN STAGE , Fri, 01 May 2026Ariza warns don’t underestimate Floyd By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 01 May 2026Weights From ‘Erdenebat vs. Breedy’ Event from Live! Casino Hotel Maryland & Broadcast Live on ProBoxTV , Fri, 01 May 2026José "Chegui" Torres Award ceremony on May 2 in Ponce, Puerto Rico , Fri, 01 May 2026Naoya Inoue and Junto Nakatani Look Awesome During Today's Presscon; Ready for Saturday's Historic Tokyo Dome Showdown! By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 30 Apr 2026Santig is IBF Promoter for Asia 2025 By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 30 Apr 2026Jerusalem Arrives Early in Johannesburg Ahead of May 16 Title Defense , Thu, 30 Apr 2026Confirmed Mayhem: Casimero vs Nery June 6 in Japan! (Long Analysis) By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 30 Apr 2026Vicelles is OPBF light fly champ By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 30 Apr 2026WBC Commemorative belt ¨Tollan Tlatequi¨ at stake on Benavidez-Ramirez super fight By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 30 Apr 2026Toro’s Talented Trio of Prospects Fighting in Mexico on May 15th , Thu, 30 Apr 2026CONAH WALKER READY FOR AN ALL-OUT WAR AGAINST MIDLANDS RIVAL SAM EGGINGTON IN HIS HOMETOWN WOLVERHAMPTON – LIVE ON DAZN , Thu, 30 Apr 2026IBA.PRO Champions Night in Saint Petersburg postponed due to unforeseen circumstances , Thu, 30 Apr 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|