Zahir Raheem was knocked out in the fourth round by Ali Funeka yesterday in East London, South Africa, in an IBF lightweight title eliminator, which would put Funeka (30-1-2, 25 KO) in line for a shot at Nate Campbell, along with about 72 other guys.
Funeka, who has no birth date listed on BoxRec.com, had never fought anyone of note, and has still never fought outside of South Africa. But if you're knocking Raheem out in four rounds, you have real power. His two draws happened within his first three fights, and his lone loss was against Mzonke Fana back in 2002.
This doesn't propel Funeka into the division's top ten or anything, because it is bar none the most loaded division in the sport. But it clearly sends Raheem packing. We're a long time removed from his stunning upset of Erik Morales.