Boxing Result: Campbell Defeats Funeka In Lightweight Swan Song

ByRichard Eberline

Last night at BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, FL, lightweight Nate Campbell held off a good challenge by South Africa’s Ali Funeka to win a majority decision over twelve rounds to lead the way on a massive Don King promoted fight card.

Campbell’s IBF, WBA and WBO titles were not on the line as he had been stripped of the belts the day before when he could not make the lightweight limit of 135 pounds.

Still showing surprising stamina at 36 years of age, Campbell put on a good effort but it was the knockdowns of Funeka in the second and eleventh rounds that would win him the contest after 12 competitive rounds.

The native Floridian won two of the cards by scores of 115-111 and 114-112 while Funeka managed to pull even on the third at 113-113.

Campbell moves to 33-5-1 (25) in his final bout at lightweight as he will now campaign at 140 pounds while Funeka sees a 16 bout win streak snapped and falls to 30-2-2 (25).

Spain based Argentine light middle Sergio Gabriel Martinez, 44-1-2 (24), retained his Interim WBC belt in a draw with former welterweight champion Kermit Cintron, 30-2-1 (27).

Martinez largely outfought the American and dropped Cintron in the seventh but lost a point for rabbit punching in the 12th and final round.

Francisco Palacios, 17-0 (10), retained the WBA Fedelatin Cruiserweight crown and his unbeaten record with a crushing first round stoppage of Lawrence Chapman, 19-6-2 (13).

Welterweight veteran Cosme Rivera, 31-12-2 (22), bravely stepped up to light middle during a last minute replacement slot against red hot light middleweight contender Alfredo Angulo, 15-0 (12), but was stopped in the fifth round in a battle of Mexican fighters.

Russian welterweight Ivan Kirpa, 23-1 (15), fought for just the second time in almost five years and stopped Frankie Santos, 16-7-4 (8), in the sixth frame.

There was heavyweight action on the bill as well as Ray Austin, 27-4-4 (17), decisioned towering opponent Julius Long, 15-11 (13), over eight and Canada’s Bermane Stiverne, 17-1 (16), dropped seasoned veteran Robert Hawkins, 23-13 (7), twice enroute to posting a eight round points verdict.

Welterweight Agnes Adjaho, 25-1 (14), outpointed Fernando Angulo, 22-5 (14), over eight.