Boxing In South Africa: Raheem Arrives In East London, Igniting Immediate Controversy

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.

Soon after his arrival, Raheem proved to be a headache for promoter Branco Milenkovic, when he refused to allow himself to be weighed in.

Milenkovic, who won the purse bids to stage the fight to the tune of R1.2 million [$153,000 usd] in April, was forced to get tough with Raheem in an attempt to get the boxer to co-operate.

Raheem jetted in with a heavy entourage in tow, comprising his wife Analee, his mother, brother and head trainer Mark Breland. Breland – an Olympic gold medalist – knocked out South African Harold Volbrecht to retain his WBA world welterweight crown in 1987.

During the press conference at an East London casino, the American sat tentatively in an opposite corner, peering at the audience behind dark sunglasses. Asked by the Daily Dispatch to comment about his chances against Funeka on Saturday, Raheem said he was looking forward to displaying his boxing talent to those in attendance.

“I have respect for Funeka and I have watched him on video footage, He is a strong fighter,” was all the American was prepared to say.

Raheem then quickly made a dash for his hotel room, despite the fact that he and Funeka were scheduled to attend a weigh-in before being examined by Dr Siyabulela Bungane.

Funeka was forced to attend the proceedings on his own.

He tipped the scales 64.20kg [141.25 lb] and was given a clean bill of health.

With Raheem’s manager Bobby Dobbs running up and down trying to convince the American to return to the hall for the weigh-in procedures, Raheem refused to co-operate.

It was only when Milenkovic threatened to cancel the fight saying that he would appeal to the International Boxing Federation to award Funeka a bye that Raheem reluctantly returned to the hall.

However he still refused to have his weight checked and only allowed himself to be examined.

“I have never dealt with a fighter like this,” a fuming Milenkovic said. “Maybe he has forgotten how much I paid to bring him here.”

The American flatly refused to weigh-in and sensing a growing unpleasantness, Milenkovic backed down.

“It is not compulsory for his weight to be checked, but on Friday, he will have to oblige otherwise there will be no fight,” said Milenkovic.

Boxing SA director of operations Loyiso Mtya, who was present at the event, admitted that the American should not be forced to have his weight checked. “He is obviously a cheeky chappie but on Friday he will be forced to weigh,” said Mtya.

Funeka’s management team expressed dissatisfaction at the American’s failure to have his weight checked.

“We had our weight checked but it is no use because his tricks will not help him win the fight,” said Funeka’s manager Sihle Mnguni.

Raheem’s antics followed reports that he had personally booked himself a room costing R5000 per night. This amount excluded accommodation for members of his entourage.