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 , 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

ResultRecordOpponentMethodRound, timeDateLocationNotes54Loss Abass BaraouTKO5 (10), May 4, 2019 53Win40–10–3 Uyanda NogogoTKO6 (8)Mar 17, 2019 52Loss39–10–3 Gor YeritsyanUD8Jul 28, 2018 51Loss39–9–3 Islam DumanovUD8Apr 20, 2018 50Loss39–8–3 Karen ChukhadzhyanUD8Dec 16, 2017 49Loss39–7–3 Samuel VargasMD10Aug 19, 2017 48Loss39–6–3 Jeff HornTKO6 (10), 0:30Dec 10, 2016 47Win39–5–3 Justice AddyTKO3 (12)Jul 24, 2016 46Win38–5–3 Viskhan MurzabekovSD12Mar 5, 2016 45Win37–5–3 Gideon AgbosuTKO4 (12)Dec 18, 2015 44Loss36–5–3 Tsiko MulovhedziTKO5 (12)Jul 24, 2015 43Win36–4–3 Roman BelaevTD11 (12)Nov 15, 2014 42Win35–4–3 Botishepo MandaweTKO8 (12), 1:10Sep 21, 2014 41Win34–4–3 Mzolisi YoyoKO4 (12)May 31, 2014 40Win33–4–3 Jason BedemanKO1 (8)Sep 30, 2013 39Win32–4–3 Vusi DladlaKO1 (8)Jul 6, 2013 38Loss31–4–3 Zolani MaraliUD12Dec 8, 2012 37Win31–3–3 Zolani MaraliSD12Nov 19, 2011 36Loss30–3–3 Joan GuzmánSD12 Mar 27, 2010 35Draw30–2–3 Joan GuzmánMD12Nov 28, 2009 34Loss30–2–2 Nate CampbellMD12Feb 14, 2009 33Win30–1–2 Zahir RaheemKO4 (12)Jul 5, 2008 32Win29–1–2 JR SollanoTKO4 (12), 2:25Sep 23, 2007 31Win28–1–2 Yakubu AmiduMD12Apr 1, 2007 30Win27–1–2 Anthony TshehlaKO4 (12), 1:01Oct 7, 2006 29Win26–1–2 Patrick MasangoTKO5 (12), 2:46Jul 22, 2006 28Win25–1–2 Dexter DeladaKO2 (12), 2:19May 27, 2006 27Win24–1–2 Themba TshicilaRTD7 (12), 0:10Dec 17, 2005 26Win23–1–2 Gabriel PhakulaRTD8 (12), 0:10Aug 27, 2005 25Win22–1–2 Danile BotmanTKO2 (12), 2:35Apr 30, 2005 24Win21–1–2 Zukile KhandisaKO1 (12), 0:54Oct 23, 2004 23Win20–1–2 Elvis MakamaTKO5 (12), 0:45Jul 31, 2004 22Win19–1–2 Gabriel PhakulaSD12Feb 21, 2004 21Win18–1–2 Vumile MangqaseKO1 (6)Aug 2, 2013 20Win17–1–2 Sello HanongTKO3 (6)Jul 11, 2003 19Win16–1–2 Dumisane MofuTKO4 (8)Apr 5, 2003 18Win15–1–2 Xola NtengentoTKO5 (8)Dec 14, 2002 17Loss14–1–2 Mzonke FanaMD12Jul 12, 2002 16Win14–0–2 Mncedisi KholiweTKO1 (6)Oct 28, 2001 15Win13–0–2 Luntu GianaTKO5 (–)May 27, 2001 14Win12–0–2 Wiseman YonanaTKO1 (6)Feb 25, 2001 13Win11–0–2 Siyathemba XakaKO3 (6)Oct 15, 2000 12Win10–0–2 Mzwanele SamPTS6May 14, 2000 11Win9–0–2 Xolani JacobsTKO6 (6)Oct 17, 1999 10Win8–0–2 Edward MpofuPTS8Aug 25, 1999 9Win7–0–2 Phumlani MenziwaTKO1 (8)Aug 15, 1999 8Win6–0–2 Xolile MchizaKO1 (6)Jul 10, 1999 7Win5–0–2 Thembinkosi MakwedinanaKO1 (4)Apr 18, 1999 6Win4–0–2 Phapama DanisaKO2 (6)Mar 27, 1999 5Win3–0–2 Vulindela MlenzanaKO6 (6)Aug 30, 1998 4Win2–0–2 Vuyani JoboTKO2 (6)Jun 1, 1997 3Draw1–0–2 Nkosinathi NdelaPTS4Apr 27, 1997 2Win1–0–1 Anele MqoboliPTS4Oct 21, 1995 1Draw0–0–1 Simphiwe XabendliniPTS4Sep 24, 1995

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