Tete bout on cards for UFH centenary celebrations

Zolani Tete’s next fight could be held at the University of Fort Hare to celebrate the institution’s centenary.

This was revealed by sports, recreation, arts and culture MEC Pemmy Majodina during Tete’s welcoming back home from England where he retained his IBF junior bantamweight title against Paul Butler last Friday.

Tete knocked out Butler in eight rounds to notch up his 20th victory, mostly achieved abroad.

He had won the elimination fight in Mexico, wrested the crown in Japan and at the weekend made the first defence in England.

Speaking at Miriam Makeba Hall where Tete was formally welcomed after touching down at East London airport, Majodina said her department was willing to support Tete to fight in front of his supporters if his management is keen.

“We want to see Zolani fight here and what better way to do so than have his bout at Fort Hare University when the institution is celebrating its centenary,” she said.

“The fight could even be held on June 16 when the youth of this country is commemorating the day.”

Tete, dedicating his victory to the late Umhlobo Wenene DJ Saba Mbixane, said his fight earnings would help him to buy a prosthetic leg for his diabetic mother, Nomonde, who was at the airport to welcome her youngest child.

“To have my children on the straight and narrow is every parent’s wishes but to be blessed with one like Zolani who goes out of the country and make us proud is something more than a parent could wish for,” said Nomonde.

Buffalo City Metro deputy mayor Themba Thinta said negotiations were underway with Desrac to see if funds could be raised to grant Zolani his wishes of buying his mother the leg.

“We do not want to say much at this stage but I can proudly say that something is happening.”