SUNRISE, Fla.—Unified lightweight world champion Nate “Galaxxy Warrior” Campbell (32-5-1, 25 KOs) gave a stern warning to International Boxing Federation No. 1-Ranked lightweight mandatory challenger Ali “Rush Hour” Funeka (30-1, 25 KOs) at a Don King-hosted press conference at BankAtlantic Center today promoting their Valentine’s Day meeting in South Florida.
“I’m a New Age guy that likes to be on the Internet,” Campbell began. “Then I went on the Web and read what Ali Funeka said he’s going to do to me on Valentine’s Day. He said he sees nothing special in me. He said he knows me like the back of his hand. That’s rhetoric but he’s going to pay for it. I’m going to beat him like he tried to steal something from me.”
Campbell said there was no previous ill will between him and his South African opponent.
“This was a basic training camp for me until I heard his mouth. Now it’s personal. He’s got to pay the retail American price for his words, not the South African price. I’m going to hit this 6-foot-1-inch Funeka everywhere it’s legal and maybe where it ain’t if the referee turns his back. If he truly wants to win, he better be ready to fight, kill or die.”
Campbell’s comments caught the attention of the assembled media and his promoter, Don King.
“He’s not fooling around,” King said of Campbell’s comments. “Don’t forget what this man did to Juan Diaz, and he did that partly on my behalf. I hope Funeka knows what he’s getting into.”
King announced tickets to the fight, priced at $200, $75, $40 and $25 (with all seats buy one, get one free excepting a limited number of golden circle seats) will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday and can be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets, charge by phone at (800) 745-3000, by visiting www.ticketmaster.com or at the BankAtlantic Center box office.
Dubbed “St. Valentine’s Day Massacre” by King, the card will also feature colorful former three-time world champion Ricardo “El Matador” Mayorga (28-7-1, 22 KOs) tangling with undefeated Alfredo “Perro” Angulo (14-0, 11 KOs) to determine the WBC’s No. 1 ranking and mandatory challenger at the 154-pound limit as well as another important match at 154 pounds with interim WBC super welterweight champion Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez (44-1-1, 24 KOs) taking on former IBF welterweight champion Kermit “The Killer” Cintron (30-2, 27 KOs).
A full undercard, with opponents to be announced soon, will showcase heavyweights Ray “The Rainman” Austin (26-4, 17 KOs) and Bermane “B-Ware” Stiverne (16-1, 16 KOs); undefeated cruiserweight Francisco “The Wizard” Palacios (16-0, 9 KOs); welterweight Ivan Kirpa (22-1, 14 KOs); lightweights Anges Adjaho (23-1, 14 KOs) and Angelo “The Cobra” Santana (4-0, 3 KOs); junior lightweight John “Action” Jackson (13-1, 13 KOs); undefeated light heavyweight Anthony Dirrell (14-0, 12 KOs); and featherweight Gary Russell (1-0, 1 KO).
The event is promoted by Don King Productions. Campbell vs. Funeka is presented in association with One Punch Productions. Mayorga vs. Angulo is a co-promotion with Gary Shaw Productions. Campbell vs. Funeka, Mayorga vs. Angulo and Martinez vs. Cintron will also be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
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