Is the Third Time Really the Charm for Funeka? Funeka-Guzman Two Signed

Ali Fuenka vs. Joan Guzman Two seems to be all but official. According to fightnews.com, Guzman (29-0-1 17 KO) has faxed his signed contract to make it official. The rematch will be for the vacant IBF Lightweight Title.

The fight will take place on March 27th. They are considering Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut, Miami, or Madison Square Garden. Wherever it takes place, HBO will televise Ali Funeka’s (30-2-3 25 KO) third chance to win a world title and hopefully the third time is the charm.

Funeka fought a hell of a fight but came up short against Nate Campbell. He then fought Guzman and appeared to thoroughly beat his Dominican foe. As it was in 2009, everyone thought Funeka won except for two of the judges.

One judge had it scored correctly at 116-112 and the other two apparently watched it with their eyes closed as they scored it a draw 114-114.

In that first fight in November, Funeka controlled the fight with his height and reach advantage. He mixed his punches well and showed enough power to bloody the face of Guzman and deter him from taking many chances.

I don’t see how this fight will play out any differently. Guzman looked like an up and comer in the sport but has been largely unimpressive since he beat Humberto Soto in 2007. In that fight he really didn’t look impressive as he built up a lead and then hung on for dear life.

Funeka is one of my favorite fighters to watch as he is an action fighter and stays busy. He also has enough pop in his punches to do damage on an opponent. Guzman has switched trainers for this fight which worries me.

He is taking on Lee Beard, who the former trainer of Ricky Hatton. When a fighter does this he isn’t taking responsibility for his performance and is pushing blame on his trainer.

This fight should play out much like the first one with Funeka controlling the action and winning this fight going away. Guzman was so beaten down in the first fight I don’t know what big adjustments he can make and frankly I don’t know if he wants to make the changes.

Funeka is going to be highly motivated and may even push for a KO so he doesn’t have to worry about the judges.

Tune in to HBO on March 27th to see how it all turns out. Hopefully the third time is the charm for Funeka and he can finally get his hands on a title belt.

(source: fightnews.com)