Image: Zolani Tete.
By: Saneliso Mlambo
BANTAMWEIGHT warrior Zolani “Last born” Tete is ready to put his injury disappointments behind him and return to the ring to fight his way to the top of the pack in his weight division. Tete is the holder of the WBO bantamweight world title.
A right shoulder injury blew his chances of winning the money-spinning World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) a few days before his semi final fight against Nonito Donaire in the United States in April. Donaire is the title holder of the World Boxing Association (WBA) in the bantamweight class.
Tete this week ended speculation that the disappointment might have signalled the end of his boxing career. He told Independent Media that he has now fully recovered and is gearing to fight.
“What happened at the WBSS was painful. I was ready and looking forward to the fight,” said Tete who is scheduled to defend his WBO title from challenger Riel Casimero of the Philippines. The date and venue have not been agreed on by the promoters.
“I was so close to achieving my goal of becoming the undisputed world champion. However, I am moving forward, at least I still have my crown.”
Following the WBSS fight withdrawal, many boxing fans wrote Tete off, saying he would not be able to bounce back from that fall. They even made a joke that his injuries won’t allow him to dance with big boys in the ring again. But the Mdantsane born combatant is back in the gym working under his doctor’s supervision to prepare for the September fight.
“Injuries are every athlete’s worry, what happened in the US is all in the past now. I have to use it as a lesson, in life we don’t fall but we learn and conquer,’ Tete said.
Since 2017, Last Born as Tete is affectionately known, has been vulnerable to injuries. Following his record of a 11 seconds knockout of Siboniso Gonya in November 2017, a calf injury forced the bantamweight champion to postpone his title defence against Omar Narvaez which he won via unanimous decision in April last year.
Tete‘s manager, Mlandeli Tengimfene, said: “Zolani is a humble and hard working boxer. He managed to put everything that happened in United States behind him and focused on his recovery and future. I am impressed (by him), his focus and discipline helped him to heal fast.”
“I would like to advise all the boxing fans not to be worried about Tete‘s injury, there is nothing more to it, injuries are common to boxers. Zolani is still fresh and strong. He is 31-years with 31 professional fights.The best we can do is to support our athletes and help them to recover fast,” Tengimfene concluded.
The knockout specialist has been outstanding since the beginning of his career with 28 (21 KO) wins and 3 loses in 31 fights.
Tete made his professional debut on May 2006 under the guidance of Vuyani Bungu (former IBF junior featherweight champion).
IBF Flyweight champion Moruti Mthalane (SA), Juan Alberto Rosas (Mexico) and Roberto Sosa (Argentina), are the only three boxers to have made a dent in Tete‘s professional career.