Gift doesn’t sate Funeka’s hunger to beat Guzman

Rewards usually go to winners, but Ali Funeka made out pretty well anyway.

Funeka didn't beat Joan Guzman for the vacant IBF lightweight title Nov. 28 in Canada. The fight ended in a 12-round majority draw, though many thought it should've been scored in Funeka's favor.

Among them was his manager, Butityi Konki, who felt so strongly about Funeka's performance in Quebec City that he gave his fighter a new car. That's why Funeka tools around East London, South Africa, these days in a sparkling BMW.

Nothing was decided that night, so Funeka and Guzman will try again to win the still-vacant title Saturday in a 12-round rematch at the Hard Rock Hotel.

Despite the new wheels, Funeka is still upset with the scoring in Canada.

"I am very pleased to have the car because I feel like I earned it," Funeka said. "I was very angry, very upset that I didn't win that fight. In Canada I was robbed. I hope, fighting in Las Vegas, it will be a fair decision."

Both fighters are making their Las Vegas debut. The 6-foot-1-inch Funeka (30-2-3, 25 knockouts) said his game plan will be the same as in the first fight, in which he cut Guzman over the left eye in the third round, causing his opponent clouded vision the rest of the fight.

Funeka is four inches taller than Guzman, with a five-inch reach advantage.

"Guzman is shorter than me, and nothing much has changed," Funeka said. "I am very motivated for this fight."

The Dominican Guzman (29-0-1, 17 KOs) has altered his preparation and his strategy. He changed trainers, leaving Don House for Lee Beard, and spent three weeks in Manchester, England.

"The first time, I didn't have a game plan," Guzman said. "I had a lot of things on my mind. My mother had died prior to the fight. I hadn't fought in a year. Funeka had all the chips. Now I know him.

"We had a great training camp. No distractions. You'll see a different Joan Guzman this time."

Guzman struggled to get inside against Funeka, and Funeka hurt him in the eighth round with a big right to the head. But Funeka couldn't finish him off.

"I walked into that shot and he had me hurt," Guzman said. "I think he lacked determination."

Like Funeka, Guzman is able to mine plenty of motivation from the first fight.

"There has been a lot of bad things said," he said. "I watch that fight three or four times a day, and I don't think I lost. A lot of the rounds were very close.

"What insults me more is that people say I lost the fight and I'm done. Anyone can have one bad night. I think this fight will vindicate me."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.