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Funeka vs. Guzman II Preview & Prediction

March 16, 2010

Joan Guzman Gets a Second Chance and Ali Funeka Gets Another Showcase in the Funeka vs. Guzman Rematch

On March 27 in Las Vegas, Nevada, Ali Funeka and Joan Guzman will square off in a rematch of their controversial November 2009 draw. This fight will be for the vacant IBF Lightweight Championship. This fight will be featured on a huge night of boxing at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino because their fight will be part of a doubleheader also featuring Marcos Maidana and Victor Cayo squaring off for Maidana’s WBA Super Lightweight Championship. Both Funeka and Guzman will be fighting with something to prove. They both want to appear as the obvious winner of the fight and avenge the 2009 draw. They are also both fighting for the same vacant belt, which should make for an entertaining and gutsy fight.

Ali “Rush Hour” Funeka

30-2-3 (25 KO)
East London, South Africa
Height: 6’1”
Reach: 72”
Last 5 Fights: Funeka is an impressive fighter with a great record, but is not coming into this fight on a particular hot streak, at least not in the books. Obviously, Funeka’s most recent fight is his controversial draw against Joan Guzman which many feel that he won. Aside from this controversial draw, Funeka also had a February 2009 decision loss to Nate Campbell in Campbell’s home state of Florida. However, before this loss to Campbell came Funeka’s most impressive win, which was a dominating 4th round knockout victory over Zahir Raheem, the former WBC Lightweight title holder.

Joan Guzman

29-0-1 (17 KO)
Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic
Height: 5’7”
Reach: 67”
Last 5 Fights: Aside from the aforementioned draw against Funeka, in which Guzman endured quite a beating, Guzman has strung together a series of quality wins, mainly by decision. He has gutted out wins against the likes of Ameth Diaz, Humberto Soto, Antonio Davis and Jorge Rodrigo Barrios, although weight problems and long periods of inactivity have derailed his career.

Funeka vs. Guzman II Preview:

There is a lot on the line in this fight and both fighters have something to prove. First of all there is the fact that neither fighter is satisfied with the November 2009 draw, which was also for the vacant IBF Lightweight title. They both want to emerge as the winner, impress the judges and capture the belt.

Who wants it more?

Many viewers, boxing fans, and reporters feel as if Funeka won the first fight against Guzman. [Editor’s Note: The first Funeka vs. Guzman bout was ProBoxing-Fans.com’s 2009 Robbery of the Year Runner-Up]. Funeka fought a quality fight, used his height to his advantage and was definitely the aggressor in the draw against Guzman. Funeka knows he has the tools to beat Guzman and I feel as if he is hungry to avenge the 2009 draw with a win over Guzman.

Guzman also wants to become known as more of a force to be reckoned with. He is undefeated, but in his most recent fights, he’s only been able to tough out occasionally tight decision victories and many, including myself feel as if Guzman lost the first fight against Funeka and it should not have been a draw. Guzman definitely has something to prove when he steps in the ring on March 27. This is a good chance for Guzman to prove himself as someone who is not just hanging on for dear life near the top of the Lightweight division, but a top fighter and force to be reckoned with.

Since they fought to a draw in November, it is clear that this fight has the potential to go the distance with both fighters altering their strategies in an effort to win in dominant fashion. Guzman is a skilled fighter but is by no means a knockout artist and Funeka , who’s aggressive, fast paced style does allow for his share of knockouts, will most likely be facing a Guzman who will not let himself take as much of a beating as he did in their first fight.

Tale of the Tape:

In looking at the fighters, it is hard not to notice Funeka’s striking height advantage. At 6t ft. 1 with a reach of 72”, he is extremely tall and rangy for a Lightweight, but he is also quite aggressive. He doesn’t have the style of a taller fighter who will keep his distance and keep his opponent at bay with jabs and simply outpoint him. Guzman has his work cut out for him in terms of working his way in on Funeka. He had a lot of trouble with Funeka’s height in their first fight and Funeka was able to work the left jab, follow it up with quality shots, and keep Guzman from working his way in and landing big shots. If the 5 ft. 7 Guzman does not find a way to work his way in against Funeka, he is in for a long night.

Funeka vs. Guzman Rematch Prediction:

I see this fight as being a unanimous decision victory for the new IBF Lightweight Champion, Ali Funeka. I feel as if both fighters have felt each other out and know exactly what to do and what to change for the rematch, but in the end, Funeka’s extreme height advantage, solid jab and aggressive style is just too much for the smaller Guzman, who is used to fighting in lighter weight classes.

I feel as if Guzman will come out firing and will most likely take 2 of the first 3 rounds, but in the end, I see Funeka winning by a margin of 8 rounds to 4. Yes, Guzman will approach the fight differently and will attempt to conjure up a better offensive answer to the rangy onslaught of Funeka, but Funeka’s skill and height reach advantage is just too tough for Guzman to Penetrate. Funeka 8 rounds to 4.