It's still three weeks full to go before Zolani “Last Born” Tete puts his world title on line against Paul “Baby Faced Assassin” Butler in the UK, but the South African is already within the required weight limit (52.16kg) for the defence of his IBF junior bantamweight belt, trainer Lehlohonolo “Hands of Stone” Ledwaba has revealed.
By this stage most boxers are still starving themselves and cutting excessive weight before they can even begin to train specifically for their opponents.
Some even do that until the last day before their fight.
But Tete is already working on the strategy, perfecting the moves that will enable him to retain his belt – the only IBF title currently held by a South African.
This gym freak from Mdantsane has been in Johannesburg for three weeks working out twice a day in Stanley Ndlovu’s gym in the city.
That is where Ledwaba and Phumzile Matyhila (former SA bantamweight champion) are working hard to add to what has already been instilled in Tete’s mental and physical state.
Tete said he started preparing for Butler in December but at a slow pace until the confirmation of the date to defend the belt he won in July against Teiru Kinoshita in Japan.
Tete also used Ndlovu’s establishment when he was preparing for Kinoshita.
But back then he was trained by former world boxing champion Mhikiza “Showtime” Myekeni, who lost his job to Ledwaba.
Said Ledwaba: “Working with a committed fighter like Tete is just a pleasure. His attitude towards training makes it easy for me to assist him.
“I mean, already he is within the limit. That says a lot of about his dedication and professionalism.”
Ledwaba – himself a disciplined former world champ – said he needed to beef up on sparring partners.
“I need two more right handers. I will talk to Tete’s manager about that because the guys that we are using are somehow soft,” he said.
Said Tete: “I cannot wait for March 6. My camp is far better this time because I have more sparring partners.
“I am able to spar well over 12 rounds.”
In his previous camp the only boxer who was there for sparring was Twani.
Tete in tip top condition for UK bout
By this stage most boxers are still starving themselves and cutting excessive weight before they can even begin to train specifically for their opponents.
Some even do that until the last day before their fight.
But Tete is already working on the strategy, perfecting the moves that will enable him to retain his belt – the only IBF title currently held by a South African.
This gym freak from Mdantsane has been in Johannesburg for three weeks working out twice a day in Stanley Ndlovu’s gym in the city.
That is where Ledwaba and Phumzile Matyhila (former SA bantamweight champion) are working hard to add to what has already been instilled in Tete’s mental and physical state.
Tete said he started preparing for Butler in December but at a slow pace until the confirmation of the date to defend the belt he won in July against Teiru Kinoshita in Japan.
Tete also used Ndlovu’s establishment when he was preparing for Kinoshita.
But back then he was trained by former world boxing champion Mhikiza “Showtime” Myekeni, who lost his job to Ledwaba.
Said Ledwaba: “Working with a committed fighter like Tete is just a pleasure. His attitude towards training makes it easy for me to assist him.
“I mean, already he is within the limit. That says a lot of about his dedication and professionalism.”
Ledwaba – himself a disciplined former world champ – said he needed to beef up on sparring partners.
“I need two more right handers. I will talk to Tete’s manager about that because the guys that we are using are somehow soft,” he said.
Said Tete: “I cannot wait for March 6. My camp is far better this time because I have more sparring partners.
“I am able to spar well over 12 rounds.”
In his previous camp the only boxer who was there for sparring was Twani.
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