Guzman puts weight advantage to use

Ali Funeka now knows what it's like to fight a welterweight. After being unable to hurt Joan Guzman, he might not want to venture down that road again.

Of course, it wasn't Funeka's intention to fight somebody nine pounds heavier than him Saturday night. But the South African had few alternatives a day after Guzman failed to make the 135-pound limit for their vacant IBF lightweight title fight at the Hard Rock Hotel.

Guzman used his weight advantage to win a 12-round split decision, but the title remains vacant because of his failure to make weight. He was fined 25 percent of his $125,000 purse by the Nevada Athletic Commission.

In the co-main event, Marcos Maidana retained his WBA interim super lightweight belt with a sixth-round knockout of Victor Cayo.

Guzman and Funeka had to go to the scorecards to settle their fight, much like their first meeting Nov. 28 in Quebec City, which resulted in a majority draw.

Judge Steve Weisfeld had Guzman winning 114-113, and Duane Ford had Funeka ahead 114-113. Robert Hoyle broke the deadlock, scoring it 116-111 for Guzman, who climbed to 30-0-1.

"I followed my game plan and worked the body," Guzman said. "The last time, I was cut and I couldn't stay with the plan. This time I listened to my corner, and everything worked out.

"I am sorry I didn't make weight. I had retained too much water and I couldn't get enough sweat going to lose the weight. ... I'm moving to 140 pounds and I'll fight anyone at that weight. I'd like to fight Maidana."

Funeka weighed 143 pounds Saturday morning and Guzman was at 148.

Guzman had the upper hand for most of the fight and dropped Funeka with a right hand midway through the sixth round. He was able to get inside Funeka, who couldn't keep Guzman at bay despite a 4-inch height advantage and 5-inch edge in reach.

Funeka (30-3-3) lost despite the higher total of punches thrown (761) and landed (199) and jabs (connecting on 63 of 384).

"(Guzman) ran around a lot, but I definitely think the weight had a lot to do with him winning," Funeka said. "He had a big advantage. It was like hitting a punching bag full of sand."

Maidana and Cayo had their own controversy. Maidana appeared to hit Cayo and knock him down after the bell to end the second round. Referee Joe Cortez ruled the punch came before the bell.

"I heard the bell, but it was in the moment," Maidana said. "It wasn't intentional."

Cayo's corner howled in protest. But the replay on HBO showed the punch came right as the bell sounded.

In the sixth, Maidana (28-1) rocked Cayo with a series of big rights to the head, then finished him with a crisp right to the body, sending Cayo to the canvas. He was counted out at 1:38 and suffered his first defeat, dropping to 24-1.

"I knew I could hurt him. I saw the openings and I went for it," Maidana said. "I was looking for the early knockout, but my corner told me to calm down. I just wanted to work the head and then go to the body, just like we worked on in the gym."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.