Fight fraternity still reeling with shock after boxer Zolani Tete’s murder

Boxing icon Zolani “Last Born” Tete who was brutally murdered by gunmen outside his home in Mdantsane on Friday evening will be laid to rest on Saturday.

Tete’s manager Mlandeli Tengimfene said the funeral service for the slain boxer will be held on August 29 in the City Hall.

The memorial service will also take place at the City Hall on Wednesday.

The courage of the global star, who was the youngest South African boxer to win a world title at the age of 19, lives on in the hearts of everyone he inspired.

This is how the boxing fraternity in their tributes to him remembered the switch-hitter who won world titles in three weight divisions.

Tshele Kometsi, who promoted Tete’s comeback fight at Booysens on December 12 2021, after Tete had been on a break since losing the WBO belt in November 30 2019, said: “Zolani’s death reminded me we must live life to the fullest because tomorrow in not guaranteed ... the manner in which he passed on disturbs me because in my eyes, he was a God-fearing, respectful and humble young man.

“When I heard the news about his passing, something said to me it was a mistake but seeing the news on TV confirming it made me realise that indeed the champ is gone.

“I am deeply saddened by the news especially to hear that he was gunned down just next to his home ... that leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. Without speculating, I hope the truth will come out. I thank him for all the memories and hopefully he will rest in eternal peace despite dying so brutally.”

Former IBF and IBO junior featherweight world champ Vuyani “The Beast” Bungu, whose first born daughter has a 16-year-old son with Tete, said: “It’s not easy to accept that he’s gone. I can’t take it ...nine bullets. in front of his gate ... they wanted him dead.

“He was a bubbly boy. I was shocked that some people can do this to him.”

Andile Sidinile, who took Tete to the Floyd Mayweather Jr gym in Las Vegas where Tete trained under Mayweather’s father, said: “Look, for me, Zolani achieved what any other boxer would dream about.

“At 19 he was the youngest ever world champion from the Eastern Cape, probably in SA, when he won the WBF world flyweight title.”

The hard-hitting left hander achieved that feat in his eighth fight.

“Later he won the IBF and WBO belts ... Zolani fought in Panama, Mexico, UK, and Ireland.

“But for him, that was not enough. He actually wanted to prove that the four-year ban was injustice and it did not break him.”

Nicknamed ‘Last Born" because he was the last born of four children — two boys and two girls — Tete won the WBF flyweight, IBF junior bantamweight and WBO bantamweight world belts.

He was also the first African to participate in the World Boxing Series in its inaugural tournament in 2024.

Japanese icon Naoya “The Monster” Inoue, who has held multiple world championships in four weight classes, and one of only three male boxers to become the undisputed champion in two weight classes, also paid tribute to Tete on social media.

“Zolani Tete was a wonderful boxer, I hope for a peaceful world. And please, rest in peace.”

Until his death, Tete vehemently denied taking performance enhancers for the Commonwealth, IBF, and vacant WBO International junior featherweight belts he won with a fourth-round knockout of Jason Cunningham in the UK on July 2, 2022.

That result, which was Tete’s 22nd KO in 29 wins against four losses, was later declared a no contest when Tete tested positive for a banned substance after the fight.

He was given a four-year suspension, which expired last month, was preparing to make a comeback when he was murdered.

Sowetan