Tete takes IBF world champ title for Tata
ZOLANI "Last Born" Tete made the most of his 67 minutes for Nelson Mandela when he punched his way to the IBF junior bantamweight title on Friday.
The timing of his triumph over Japanese Teiru Kinoshita was not lost on Tete and he said it was only fitting that he dedicated his win to the man whose life the world celebrated on Friday.
"If you do something in the name of Nelson Mandela, it has to be done in a special way, because that is who he was," Tete (25) said from Japan.
"Gratitude to my promoter Branco Milenkovic, trainer Mhikiza Myekeni, manager Mlandeli Tengimfene, my brother Makazole [South African and WBA pan-African flyweight champion] and my father who are here with me.
"I cannot forget my entire family back home as well as all South Africans who were behind me in this journey. A word of thanks to the guys who assisted me with sparring and, most importantly, Bra Stanley Ndlovu who allowed me use his gym in Johannesburg."
Tete was at his irrepressible best and outclassed Kinoshita on points in a one-sided fight at Portopia Hotel in Kobe, Japan. US judge Chris Flores scored it 118-110, South African Deon Dwarte 119-109 and Japanese Katsuhiko Nakamura 118-110, all in favour of Tete, who becomes the only current IBF holder in South Africa.
Kinoshita works as a floor manager at Portopia Hotel and he had agreed to an unusual bet that his employers thought would help motivate him for the fight.
The hotel owners had told the boxer he would be permanently demoted to the role of dishwasher should he lose to the South African and he felt confident enough to take the bet.
The last South African boxer to wear the IBF strap - one of the big four world titles - was Moruti "Babyface" Mthalane, who vacated his flyweight belt last year.
Honour
Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula followed the fight from Glasgow, Scotland, where he is attending the Commonwealth Games, and said Tete should be commended for winning the title away from home.
"There is no other gesture to honour Tata that is bigger than what Zolani did and achieved."
Milenkovic said he was delighted that South Africa once again had a legitimate world champion.
"Zolani becomes my 10th IBF world champion. But without doubt, comparing former champions, Tete was the only one to travel all over the world and keep winning."
Milenkovic said given Tete's hitting power, he was expecting a stoppage.
"But I am now even happier that the fight went the full distance and all three judges unanimously awarded him the decision.
"Beside his manager , I would like to compliment trainer Myekeni, who is my former world champion.
"He is relatively green in the training of fighters. Without doubt Tete's last two performances [are a] credit to Myekeni. It was his fourth IBF fight in a young career and he finally managed to capture the championships. I am proud to be his promoter."