MILENKOVIC PULLS OFF BOXING COUP
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 24 Jun 2008
Well known international promoter and boxing manager Branco Milenkovic of South Africa has pulled off a boxing coup with two International Boxing Federation title eliminators that will take place in East London on July 5.
In the main event lightweight Ali "Rush Hour" Funeka will battle highly-rated Zahir "Z Man" Raheem, the US Olympian who gave Mexican boxing legend Erik ?El Terrible? Morales a clinic some years ago.
In the supporting main event South African flyweight Muruti Mthalane will clash with Australian Hussein Hussein whose title fight against reigning IBF champion Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire which was scheduled to take place in Dubai last April was canceled.
Milenkovic received substantial support from the Eastern Cape government which helped save the boxing extravaganza according to boxing writer Mesuli Zifo. He reported that Milenkovic who was in Manila for the last WBC Convention and officials from the Department of Sport were scouting for a suitable venue for the fights.
Realizing the value of sports and the emerging reality of sports tourism the head of the Departnment of Sport Bubele Mfenya was quoted as saying ?this is a wonderful opportunity to put the province on the world boxing map. It is our objective to market this province as a sporting destination ahead of the 2010 Soccer World Cup and this event presents us with that goal.?
Milenkovic who has regularly staged fights involving boxers from the Philippines said it was the biggest event he had ever been involved in. Milenkovic said he wanted to ?make this event the biggest sporting extravaganza in the African continent.?
Funeka has a record of 29-1-2 with 24 knockouts including a second round KO over Filipino Dexter Delada in a battle for the vacant WBC International lightweight title and in a title defense last September 23 scored a fourth round TKO over another fighter from the Rex ?Wakee? Salud stable, JR Sollano.
The 31 year old Raheem, has a record of 29-2 with 17 knockouts and will be coming off a first round KO over Ricardo Dominguez last January 4. Raheem lost a split decision to Acelino Freitas in a battle for the vacant WBO title while his biggest win was a twelve round unanimous decision over Mexico ?s Erik Morales in a clash for the vacant WBC International lightweight title. It was a tune-up fight for Morales in preparation for his rematch with Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao in which Morales lost by a tenth round TKO.
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