Fundi vs. Kilumbelumbe For Flyweight Title

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July 8, 2010 / BY UBO PRESS OFFICER   

UBO Vice President and All-Africa Commissioner Emmanuel Mlundwa has confirmed that Tanzanians Juma Fundi (12-4, 6 KOs) and Shabani Kilumbelumbe (7-1-1, 2 KOs) will clash in a battle for local bragging rights and the Universal Boxing Organization™ International Flyweight championship.

Interestingly, while both a still very young (Fundi 23, Kilumbelumbe 24), it is a classic encounter between someone who has already fought at top level, Fundi, and an up-and-comer who is hoping to make it there in the future.

The two Dar Es Salaam residents will fight on July 30 at the DDC Kariakoo Hall in their hometown, and both will be attempting to win their first professional title in the process.

Juma has had three previous opportunities to become a champion, but lost two difficult fights in the Philippines to Richie Mepranom (17-1-1) and Milan Melindo (16-0) for WBO regional belts, and a challenge for the IBF Youth World title against Karim Guerfi in Luxemburg.

Despite Fundi having more professional experience, Kilumbelumbe might have a confidence advantage. He lost his debut in January 2009, but has since gone undefeated and scored an impressive victory in March over former world-ranked PABA super flyweight champion Anthony Mathias, a veteran with much more experience and more impressive accomplishments than Fundi.

Fundi will be looking to make it fourth time lucky, and Kilumbelumbe is aiming to capitalize on his first title opportunity. Whoever wins on July 30 will not only be able to call himself the UBO International champion, but can also rightfully claim to be the number-one flyweight in Tanzania.