Zolani Tete will take his anger, which nearly led him to quit boxing, to Argentinean Omar Narvaez for the disgraceful decision he suffered to his compatriot six years ago.
This when Tete suffered a hometown split decision loss to Roberto Domingo Sosa at Polideportivo Carlos Cerutti in Cordoba, Argentina in 2012. So diabolic was the fight outcome that Tete contemplated quitting boxing for good.
“I did not want to have anything to do with the sport because I saw it as an unjust sport,” he said.
“It was through people like Ta Mla that begged me not to give up.”
Although Tete’s decision to continue reaped major rewards as he went on to win the IBF and WBO world titles, he was still upset that he never got a chance to exact the revenge.
At one stage he asked Tengimfene to line up all the boxers that controversial beat him so that he could get his revenge.
“On top of the list was Sosa,” Tengimfene confirmed.
Now Tete will get a measure of exacting revenge when he faces another Argentinean Narvaez at SSE Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland on Saturday.
Not only will the fight offer him an opportunity to defend his WBO bantamweight title for a second time but it wipe out the distaste of his loss to Sosa six years ago.
“Finally I will get an opportunity to right the wrongs I suffered in Argentina and unfortunately Narvaez will have to bear the brunt.”
Narvaez is a veteran of 42 years having lost only twice and drawn twice in 52 bouts. He is by far the most experienced boxer Tete has ever faced.
The Argentinean knows how to compete at the world-class level having won the WBO crown in the flyweight and junior-bantamweight divisions. On Saturday he will be chasing for a third world title which will put him in the pantheon of fighters to win world titles in numerous weight classes.
That history chasing mission by Narvaez is not lost to Tete and he likes it that away.
“I like the fact that I will stand on his way from making history because that will make beating him even sweeter. I am used to standing on the way of people who want to use me for their historic achievements.”
Tete is referring to his history blocking feat in March 2015 when he knocked out Englishman Paul Butler in defence of his IBF junior-bantamweight belt. Butler was looking to make history by becoming the first British boxer in over 100 years to win a world title in a heavier division then drop down and win a second one in the lighter weight class.
Tete and his team consisting of chief trainer Loyiso Mtya, assistant trainer Phumzile Matyhila, Tengimfene and the boxer’s father Zolile arrived in Belfast at the weekend
Tete set to ‘punish’ Narvaez for loss
This when Tete suffered a hometown split decision loss to Roberto Domingo Sosa at Polideportivo Carlos Cerutti in Cordoba, Argentina in 2012. So diabolic was the fight outcome that Tete contemplated quitting boxing for good.
“I did not want to have anything to do with the sport because I saw it as an unjust sport,” he said.
“It was through people like Ta Mla that begged me not to give up.”
Although Tete’s decision to continue reaped major rewards as he went on to win the IBF and WBO world titles, he was still upset that he never got a chance to exact the revenge.
At one stage he asked Tengimfene to line up all the boxers that controversial beat him so that he could get his revenge.
“On top of the list was Sosa,” Tengimfene confirmed.
Now Tete will get a measure of exacting revenge when he faces another Argentinean Narvaez at SSE Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland on Saturday.
Not only will the fight offer him an opportunity to defend his WBO bantamweight title for a second time but it wipe out the distaste of his loss to Sosa six years ago.
“Finally I will get an opportunity to right the wrongs I suffered in Argentina and unfortunately Narvaez will have to bear the brunt.”
Narvaez is a veteran of 42 years having lost only twice and drawn twice in 52 bouts. He is by far the most experienced boxer Tete has ever faced.
The Argentinean knows how to compete at the world-class level having won the WBO crown in the flyweight and junior-bantamweight divisions. On Saturday he will be chasing for a third world title which will put him in the pantheon of fighters to win world titles in numerous weight classes.
That history chasing mission by Narvaez is not lost to Tete and he likes it that away.
“I like the fact that I will stand on his way from making history because that will make beating him even sweeter. I am used to standing on the way of people who want to use me for their historic achievements.”
Tete is referring to his history blocking feat in March 2015 when he knocked out Englishman Paul Butler in defence of his IBF junior-bantamweight belt. Butler was looking to make history by becoming the first British boxer in over 100 years to win a world title in a heavier division then drop down and win a second one in the lighter weight class.
Tete and his team consisting of chief trainer Loyiso Mtya, assistant trainer Phumzile Matyhila, Tengimfene and the boxer’s father Zolile arrived in Belfast at the weekend
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