South African Zolani Tete, the former IBF Super Flyweight titlist, makes his highly anticipated return to the UK when he fights on the action-packed Liverpool Echo Arena show on Saturday March 12th.
Tete, from Mdanstane in the Eastern Cape, is one of the most explosive punchers in the division with 18 knockouts in 22 wins – 12 of them coming inside the first round! The clinical southpaw will be gunning for another show-stopping knockout when he boxes over ten rounds against an opponent to be confirmed on the undercard of Terry Flanagan’s WBO Lightweight title defense against Derry Mathews.
The 27-year-old impressively announced himself on the world scene last March with a stunning eighth round knockout of then unbeaten Ellesmere Port ace Paul Butler. His world-class performance left English fans mesmerised and demanding to see more. Since then, the all-action power-puncher has gone on to claim two victories over compatriots Diuhl Olguin and Jether Oliva; winning the vacant WBO Africa Super-Flyweight title against the latter.
Tete harbours dreams of becoming one of the greats of African boxing; following in the footsteps of former world champions Azumah Nelson, ‘Sugar’ Boy Malinga and ‘Baby’ Jake Matlala – all promoted by Frank Warren.
Touted as one of the best boxers to come out of Africa in recent years, Tete is determined to become a multi-weight world champion and believes Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren is the man to guide him to world titles. “Last Born” signed a long-term, multi-fight, promotional agreement with Warren in December 2015 and can’t wait to return to the scene of his greatest triumph.
“I’m very excited to make my return to the UK next month. The English fans know I pack a powerful punch and guarantee excitement in every fight and I’ll be looking to send them home happy on March 12th” said Tete.
He added: “It was amazing fighting in front of such a lively crowd back in March last year; English fight fans love their boxing and there’s no better crowd to perform in front of. I’m feeling fit and ready to take anyone that is put in front of me,”
“I want to be remembered as the best boxer that Africa has ever produced. 2016 is going to be a big year for me so it’s important that I get off to the best possible start – another knockout win!”
Promoter Frank Warren added, “It’s fantastic to welcome Zolani back to the UK and what a tremendous show to go on and showcase his explosive punching once again. He’s a world class fighter and very soon he’ll be challenging for world titles as it’s his dream to unify the belts. The show has got bigger and even better with Tete’s addition, but we’ll have some more exciting news shortly about another fight on the card.”
