After moving up in weight and fighting mostly journeymen, he stepped up in class to challenge Mzonke Fana for the South African super featherweight title in 2002.
Later in 2009, he challenged Joan Guzmán for the vacant IBF lightweight world title but the fight was ruled a draw, although many felt Funeka had won.
[3] On 19 November 2011, Funeka defeated Zolani Marali by split decision to capture the vacant WBF light-welterweight title in Johannesburg.
On 15 November 2014, Funeka defeated Russian-German boxer Roman Belaev in a controversial technical decision for the vacant IBO welterweight world title.
[4][5][6] On 10 December 2015, Funeka faced Australian Jeff Horn for the WBO Inter-Continental welterweight title in Auckland, New Zealand.