Linda Ximba
Zolani “Last Born” Tete has earned himself a shot at the IBF junior-featherweight title after scoring a surprise knockout victory on Saturday night.
The left-handed Tete shocked pundits by delivering a fourth-round demolition of Commonwealth, WBO International and IBF international junior featherweight champion Jason Cunningham at Wembley Stadium in England.
Inactive for two years due to Covid-19 and his age catching up with him, the Eastern Cape-born boxer sent fans into a frenzy with an emphatic comeback for Tete.
It was a masterful performance from Tete who lost his WBO world bantamweight crown to John Casimero from the Philippines in 2019 – a loss that many predicted would be the end of his career.
Tete’s win has set him up for a match against IBF junior-featherweight title holder Murodjon Akhmadaliev of Uzbekistan.
The 34-year-old Tete received a hero’s welcome at OR Tambo International Airport on Monday afternoon following his European triumph. Boxing South Africa and officials from the national sports ministry welcomed him home.
“Through this win, Zolani has again shown the resilience that has become a feature of his career,” said Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa.
“He had to shake off some personal setbacks to once again be in line for another world title fight. This provides welcome relief to a country that is recovering from the effects of a ravaging pandemic.”
Tete dedicated the victory to his late mother Nomonde.
He said he will work hard in ensuring he recaptures the IBF crown which was previously held by his compatriots like Welcome “The Hawk” Ncita, then Vuyani “The Beast” Bungu and later Lehlohonolo “Hands of Stone” Ledwaba.
UK promoter Frank Warren is said to be working behind the scenes to match Tete, a former WBF flyweight, IBF junior-bantamweight and WBO bantamweight holder, against Akhmadaliev.
Tete, whose record has improved to 40 wins with 23 knockouts against four losses, became the 12th local fighter to win the Commonwealth belt.
