SA boxer wins lightweight title in East London

Funeka caused a major upset by stopping his highly-ranked American opponent

East London boxing hero, Ali Funeka, has caused a major upset by stopping his highly-ranked American opponent, Zahir Raheem, in an International Boxing Federation lightweight title fight in East London.

This win makes Funeka a mandatory challenger for the international title. After a quiet opening round, Funeka dropped Raheem twice in round two and twice in round three before landing the final punch towards the end of round four. A right-handed blow landed flush on the jaw of the American and by the way he fell, it was evident that he wouldn't beat the count.

In the main supporting bout, KwaZulu-Natal-born Johannesburg-based South African flyweight champion, Moruti Mthalane won on points, beating Australian contender Hussein Hussein over 12 rounds in the flyweight division. In so doing, Mthalane earned a chance to challenge for the IBF flyweight title.