SUNRISE, Florida – Nate Campbell knocked down Ali Funeka twice to keep the South African contender from winning three world lightweight titles here on Saturday by taking a 12-round majority decision.
Campbell won on judges’ scores of 115-111 and 114-112 with the third judge scoring a 113-113 draw, but the 36-year-old American – now 33-5 with one draw – had already lost the crowns Friday, failing to make the 135-pound weight limit.
“I’m hurt,” Campbell said. “I worked my whole life to become world champion and my body said no more. I worked hard to become world champion and I left them on the scales. I apologize to my fans.”
Funeka, a tall and lanky fighter who had not lost in 16 fights over nearly seven years, went down in the second and 11th rounds. He fell to 30-2 with two drawn in his first world title bout and his first fight outside South Africa.
“This guy was tough,” Campbell said of Funeka. “He’s a tough, durable, strong fighter. He can take a punch. His day will come.”
Campbell weighed 138 pounds when he climbed onto the scales Friday and had lost only half a pound in his second and final attempt to make weight.
The World Boxing Association, International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Organzation titles that Campbell lost on the scales are vacant. They soon would have been anyway since Campbell will now move up to 140 pounds.
“All I can try to do is win at 140,” Campbell said. “I’m going to have fun at 140. I’m looking forward to 140.”
Funeka came very close to taking the title belts back home to Africa, using his longer reach and height to full advantage over the middle rounds of the fight, wearing down Campbell with body blows and steady jabs.
Campbell dominated at the start and finish of the fight, toppling Funeka each time with stunning roundhouse right hands to the head.
“I kept trying to catch him with a right hand all night – fake with the left, drop the right over the top,” Campbell said. “His body and height were able to keep me away.”
In the second, Campbell struck with one minute to go in the round and pressed the attack when a wobbly Funeka rose, but the staggering South African lasted to the bell ending the round.
In the 11th, Campbell needed to rally and did, going back to the sledgehammer right to the head to sting Funeka, then following with a hard left to the jaw that sent his rival stumbling forward and down.
Funeka finished the final minute of the 11th and traded body blows through the 12th to the finish, but after the verdict was read could only drop to his knees and put his head against his corner ropes in despair. (AP)