Ali Funeka retained his WBC International lightweight title on a 12 round majority points decision over Yakubu Amidu of Ghana at the Orient Theatre in East London on Sunday afternoon.

Judge Siya Vabaza scored it 115-114 and Alfred Buqwana had it a rather wide 116-112 for Funeka while judge Andrew Smale called it a draw at 115-115.

In a toe-to-toe battle that had the fans on the edge of their seats throughout, Funeka (61.20 kg) came on strongly in the last two rounds just to edge the inexperienced Amidu (60.15 kg) in a fight that will be a strong contender for fight of the year when Boxing SA hand out their annual awards for 2007.

The shorter Amidu 13-1; 13 scored with some big overhand rights to the head of Funeka 28-1-2; 23 and had him on wobbly legs in the fourth round but the South African did well to weather the storm.

Funeka, 29, made the mistake of fighting the challenger's fight by standing in the trenches and trading blow for blow when he had the reach and height advantage over the 22-year-old Amidu, who surprised the critics with his performance.