Mdantsane boxing hero Zolani Tete is adapting well in England where he will defend his IBF world junior-bantamweight crown against Paul Butler next Friday.
Tete left the country this week accompanied by his father Zolile and trainer Lehlohonolo Ledwaba as well as manager Mla Tengimfene for his optional defence at Echo Arena in Liverpool.
However both his usual trainers Mhikiza Myekeni and Phumzile Matyhila as well as his inspirational brother Makazole were not part of the team.
The absence of Makazole might psychologically affect him as the Tete brothers have a strong bond which translate to gutsy performance for each of them while the other shouts encouraging words at ringside.
Makazole was present when his younger sibling annexed the title in Japan by beating previously unbeaten Teiru Kinoshita last July.
Asked if it was a wise move to leave Makazole behind, Zolani’s promoter Branco Milenkovic said the decision was not his.
“I understand that Makazole is preparing for a fight and so he could not go but as you know that he is not my fighter I cannot say much about that,” he said.
The Tete team arrived in Liverpool on Wednesday and have been staying at Hilton Hotel which is equipped with a state-of-the-art gymnasium.
“I spoke to them today and they expressed satisfaction with everything,” said Milenkovic.
Tete will be vying for the first defence of the title but will also be up against history as Butler is chasing to break a 104 boxing record by becoming the first British fighter to win a major world title in a heavier division then drop down and win another in a lighter division.
The 26-year-old, who is unbeaten in 17 bouts with eight stoppages, won the IBF bantamweight crown last June beating Stuart Hall but immediately vacated it to drop down a division and challenge Tete.
Having inflicted a first defeat on Kinoshita, Tete sees nothing stopping him from doing the same to Butler who he dismissed as still a developing fighter.
“He does not worry me at all and fighting in his own backyard will not be a problem for me,” he said before his departure.
Milenkovic said Tete will not engage in any sparring sessions while in England.
Tete, who is the same age as Butler, will enter the bout as a favourite having shared the ring with better opposition than the British in his 22 bouts with three losses and 16 stoppages.
It’s plain sailing so far for Tete
Tete left the country this week accompanied by his father Zolile and trainer Lehlohonolo Ledwaba as well as manager Mla Tengimfene for his optional defence at Echo Arena in Liverpool.
However both his usual trainers Mhikiza Myekeni and Phumzile Matyhila as well as his inspirational brother Makazole were not part of the team.
The absence of Makazole might psychologically affect him as the Tete brothers have a strong bond which translate to gutsy performance for each of them while the other shouts encouraging words at ringside.
Makazole was present when his younger sibling annexed the title in Japan by beating previously unbeaten Teiru Kinoshita last July.
Asked if it was a wise move to leave Makazole behind, Zolani’s promoter Branco Milenkovic said the decision was not his.
“I understand that Makazole is preparing for a fight and so he could not go but as you know that he is not my fighter I cannot say much about that,” he said.
The Tete team arrived in Liverpool on Wednesday and have been staying at Hilton Hotel which is equipped with a state-of-the-art gymnasium.
“I spoke to them today and they expressed satisfaction with everything,” said Milenkovic.
Tete will be vying for the first defence of the title but will also be up against history as Butler is chasing to break a 104 boxing record by becoming the first British fighter to win a major world title in a heavier division then drop down and win another in a lighter division.
The 26-year-old, who is unbeaten in 17 bouts with eight stoppages, won the IBF bantamweight crown last June beating Stuart Hall but immediately vacated it to drop down a division and challenge Tete.
Having inflicted a first defeat on Kinoshita, Tete sees nothing stopping him from doing the same to Butler who he dismissed as still a developing fighter.
“He does not worry me at all and fighting in his own backyard will not be a problem for me,” he said before his departure.
Milenkovic said Tete will not engage in any sparring sessions while in England.
Tete, who is the same age as Butler, will enter the bout as a favourite having shared the ring with better opposition than the British in his 22 bouts with three losses and 16 stoppages.
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