One of America's top lightweights came to Jan Smuts Stadium in East London last night in search of a world title opportunity and in the eyes of many, Zahir Raheem was almost certain to return home to the US with that title challenge in his pocket.

After all, hadn't Raheem easily defeated one of the best Mexican fighters in a generation, Eric Morales, and narrowly lost a heavily disputed split decision to Acelino Freitas?

And all Raheem had to do was get past local man Ali Funeka, who had never fought outside of his home country or faced the kind of competition that Raheem had been in the ring with.

But Funeka hadn't been without success, having held the South African Super Feather crown over six defenses and the WBC International Lightweight strap for three bouts and was riding a 15 contest win streak stretching back six years.

The first round was largely a studying session for both men as they attempted to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the other in this packed stadium that usually hosts Cricket and Track and Field events. More...

Tonight, the action in East London will be happening at the Orient Theater as top American lightweight Zahir Raheem comes to South Africa in an IBF final title eliminator against local hero Ali "Rush Hour" Funeka.

Raheem, 29-2 (17), is perhaps most famous for defeating Mexican legend Eric Morales in 2005 before losing a controversial vacant WBO title challenge to Acelino Freitas a year later. More...

By Mesuli Zifo

Top American fighter Zahir Raheem arrived in East London yesterday for his IBF lightweight title eliminator against Ali Funeka at Jan Smuts Stadium on Saturday. More...

By Bongani Magasela

courtesy The Sowetan

The internationally acclaimed Branco Sports Productions (BSP) of top promoter Branco Milenkovic has pitted local fighters against the best in the world in the past three years. More...

Former world title challenger Zahir Raheem feels ready and confident as he enters the final stages of his training camp for his upcoming IBF world lightweight title elimination bout in East London, South Africa against Ali Funeka.

"Zahir knows this will be one of his toughest fights and he will be ready," said Bobby Dobbs, matchmaker for promoter Tony Holden, Raheem's promoter. "Obviously, he would have preferred to fight here in the states, but that won't affect Zahir as he will be ready to fight anywhere." More...

By Mesuli Zifo

The camp of top American fighter Zahir Raheem has refuted reports that he is underestimating Ali Funeka ahead of their eagerly anticipated IBF Lightweight title eliminator at East London’s Jan Smuts Stadium on July 5. More...

By Mesuli Zifo

Top American fighter Zahir Raheem is proving to be as cagey outside the ring as he is in it after he went ahead and booked his own lodging without consulting fight promoter Branco Milenkovic.

This after the American had also made his own travel arrangement to arrive in East London on Sunday. More...

East London will become the focal point when top American and Australian boxing entourages arrive in the city at the end of the month. The visitors include top American fighter Zahir Raheem and Hussein Hussein from Australia.

Their arrivals follow news that fight promoter Branco Milenkovic and the Eastern Cape government have clinched a deal to stage the boxing extravaganza in East London on July 5. More...

By Mesuli Zifo

The Eastern Cape government has moved swiftly to save a world boxing extravaganza featuring a top American fighter from being moved from East London.

They’ve clinched the deal with fight promoter Branco Milenkovic to stage the event in East London on July 5. More...

By Mesuli Zifo

After the boxing extravaganza featuring the world title between Cassius Baloyi and Mzonke Fana in Mafikeng, the next stop will be East London. This was revealed by fight promoter Branco Milenkovic, who staged the gigantic show in Mafikeng. More...