Fundi International Flyweight Champion

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July 30, 2010 / BY UBO PRESS OFFICER   

Juma Fundi of Tanzania is the new Universal Boxing Organization™ International Flyweight champion after defeating countryman Shabani Kilumbeleumbe Friday night, July 30, at the DDC Kariakoo Hall in Dar Es Salaam. With the victory Fundi captured his first professional title, and improved his professional record to 13-4 (7), while the looser dropped to 7-2-1 (2).

The fight saw both contestants have their share of success, but in the end the more experienced Fundi proved to be too much for Kilumbelumbe to handle.

Fundi got off to a good start and scored a flash knockdown already in the opening round, but Kilumbelumbe got up quickly and fought back valiantly.

From rounds two through five of the scheduled ten-rounder Fundi had the upper hand, but at the same time he also had a very game adversary in front of him.

Kilumbelumbe occasionally found his mark with hard shots, and was still in the fight. In the sixth round a damaging right hand send Kilumbelumbe to the canvas for the second time, but again he beat the count of referee Anthony Ruta, and was allowed to continue.

The scenario repeated itself in round eight. By this point Fundi was in charge, and when he landed with a sharp connection to the head, Kilumbelumbe went down again and looked as if he was close to the end of the line. However, he managed to get on his feet one more time to make it to the bell. But it was just a matter of time before Fundi found a way to finish him off, and Ruta called a halt to the bout in round nine when Kilumbelumbe went down for the fourth time.

Fundi is now the third reigning UBO champion hailing from Tanzania, as Francis Cheka and Mbwana Matumla holds Inter-Continental titles at middleweight and bantamweight respectively. UBO Supervisor and All-Africa Commissioner Emmanuel Mlundwa was pleased with the performance of both boxers, saying:

“It was a very entertaining bout, even though it quickly became clear that Fundi was on his way to victory. Kilumbelumbe came to fight his chance, and he did put up a good fight. He was very game indeed. Fundi proved that he is a talented and skilled boxer, and his future is bright, I am sure.”

The fight was promoted by Juma Shumbili. Judges were George Ngalula, Said Chaku and Kondo Nassoro.