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Campbell Promises ‘Cement Shoes’ For Funeka
FRI January 30, BRIAN BLAKE - It doesn’t take much for the unified world lightweight champion Nate Campbell to get worked up, and when he does, he’s a force to be reckoned with. Ali ‘Rush Hour’ Funeka has proven just that.
On Saturday February 14th they both meet at the Bank Atlantic Center in Campbell’s native state of Florida. But it’s not the home field advantage that Campbell is banking on, he’s relying on his superior skill and resume.
Looking through Funeka’s resume even the most seasoned fans would probably only recognize a couple of names on the list. “He’s fought no one, you tell me, who has he fought?.” Mzonke Fana and Zahir Raheem are the only two recognizable names on his ledger, and in that limited ‘elite’ competition he’s gone 1-1.
Campbell, on the other hand started his career of with an impressive 23 fight winning streak with a couple of stoppage wins over Carlos Navarro and then Daniel Alicea to pick up a couple of super featherweight regional titles along the way.
At this point The Galaxxy Warrior’s career would go on one heck of a roller coaster ride with him being dealt his first loss by Cuban star Joel Casamayor. Just when Campbell would be able to get back into the win column it would almost always be followed by a loss. In that three year span he would post victories over Daniel Attah, Edelmiro Martinez, Johnny Walker, Francisco Olvera, and most notably, his win tenth round TKO win over ‘Kid Diamond’ Raiymkulov. But on the flip side his career would suffer setbacks after two bouts with Robbie Peden which both ended inside the scheduled 12 rounds, and the split decision losses to Francisco Lorenzo and Isaac Hlatshwayo. Campbell fighting for another title was as unlikely a scenario as the Arizona Cardinals playing for a championship, but it happened.
It wouldn’t be until the tail end of 2006 that Nate would be able to find any sort of consistency as he would then go on to post three straight wins over Matt Zegan, Ricky Quiles, and Wilson Alcorro. The wins over Zegan and Quiles would set up an eventual opportunity of a lifetime for the lightweight championship against Juan ‘Baby Bull’ Diaz.
Many felt (this writer included) that Campbell, just as he had in the past, would once again come up short in his bid for a world title. Obviously that wouldn’t be the case as Campbell would go on to outpoint Diaz on two of the three judges scorecards. And with the win he took three of the divisions titles back home to Florida.
It has been eleven months since that big win that put him atop the lightweight division. After eight long years of hard work he’d finally realized his dream of being champion of the world. He’s gotten married since then. Enjoyed the benefits of a career high payday. You’d think he’d be all smiles right about now…and he probably was. That is, until Funeka started throwing Campbell’s name around in the media.
Funeka, who is rated in the top ten in three of the four major sanctioning bodies, has admitted to the press that he’s already looking past the champion, despite being a clear cut underdog in the fight.
"To be honest with you, I do not see the need to hire sparring partners because Campbell is an open book to me," Funeka boldly stated.
He would go on to say, "I know the guy’s fighting style like the back of my hand and I can say right now that he does not pose any danger to me."
The South African Funeka sees this bout as his ’coming out party’ to the American fans. Campbell expectedly sees things very differently.
In an exclusive phone interview Campbell stated, ’Come the 14th the fans are going to see another St. Valentine’s Day massacre. They better expect to see fireworks in February because that’s exactly what they’re going to get.’
And with a combined 50 wins coming inside the distance between the two fighters that very well could be the case.
With the fight now taking a personal turn Campbell looks forward to ended the night early. ‘He better bring his track shoes, because if he doesn’t he’ll find himself wearing some cement shoes.’
Right before Campbell’s fight with Diaz I told him that I thought that Diaz could outwork him and secure a win. After watching his title winning performance against Diaz I felt as if I had woken a sleeping giant.
Foolishly, Funeka just might have done the exact same thing.
* * * Questions or comments can be sent to brianoblake@yahoo.com * * *
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