Zolani Tete has promised to wipe away the tears of the Ilunga Makabu defeat in England when he gets his turn in the Liverpool ring this Saturday.
Tete will take on Mexican Victor Ruiz in an IBF bantamweight international title defence at the Echo Arena days after the African continent was dealt a blow with the third round knockout defeat of heavy favourite Makabu by Englishman Tony Bellew at the same city on Sunday.
Makabu, who is regarded as a SA fighter even though he hails from DRC, had his skills honed in the country where he has trained in several clubs, including Nick Durandt’s.
Ironically Tete, who is now trained by Loyiso Mtya, also trained under Durandt, although he and Makabu were there on different occasions.
Having compiled an impressive 18 stoppages in 19 wins against a single loss, Makabu was already anointed as the WBC cruiserweight king going into the fight.
But a third round knockout not only shattered his dreams but that of the SA boxing fraternity, leaving Tete to pick up the pieces.
Having arrived in England on the day of Makabu’s defeat, Tete has vowed to pick up the fallen African boxing flag by dishing out a good performance against Ruiz.
“Makabu’s defeat surprised us all because like everyone else I picked him to win,” said Tete.
“But now I guess it is up to me to wipe away the African tears by winning my fight in style.”
Tete will be fighting at the venue for the third time, having left a lasting impression in his two previous appearances, stopping both Liverpudlian Paul Butler and Mexican Jose Santos Gonzalez in seven and eight rounds respectively.
He already commands a good following in Liverpool after signing with top British promoter Frank Warren, who will stage Saturday’s fight.
Since arriving on Sunday with Mtya, manager Mla Tengimfene and assistant trainer and father Zolani, Tete has done light training and today he will participate in the final press conference of the tournament.
Tete will share the bill with WBO junior-middleweight champion Liam Smith, who will risk his belt against Predrag Radosevic of Montenegro.
While England is renowned for its inclement weather, the SA camp has been surprised by the good weather which makes it easy for the Mdantsane boxer to go for morning runs.
The 28-year-old is hoping a win will bring him closer to a world title challenge and is already targeting two British boxers: Jamie McDonnell, who holds the WBA crown, and Lee Haskins, who is in possession of the IBF diadem.
But Makabu’s stunning defeat has reminded Tete that carrying a favourite tag does not win bouts, but getting into the ring to fight does.
“He is very aware that he is favoured to win but that will not divert him from the fight strategy,” said Tengimfene.
“If anything, Makabu’s defeat served as a wakeup call that we cannot take things lightly because we are favourites.”
Tete will carry a 23 fights winning streak against three losses into the ring, while Ruiz has lost five times in 26 bouts.
Tete into battle for Africa
Tete will take on Mexican Victor Ruiz in an IBF bantamweight international title defence at the Echo Arena days after the African continent was dealt a blow with the third round knockout defeat of heavy favourite Makabu by Englishman Tony Bellew at the same city on Sunday.
Makabu, who is regarded as a SA fighter even though he hails from DRC, had his skills honed in the country where he has trained in several clubs, including Nick Durandt’s.
Ironically Tete, who is now trained by Loyiso Mtya, also trained under Durandt, although he and Makabu were there on different occasions.
Having compiled an impressive 18 stoppages in 19 wins against a single loss, Makabu was already anointed as the WBC cruiserweight king going into the fight.
But a third round knockout not only shattered his dreams but that of the SA boxing fraternity, leaving Tete to pick up the pieces.
Having arrived in England on the day of Makabu’s defeat, Tete has vowed to pick up the fallen African boxing flag by dishing out a good performance against Ruiz.
“Makabu’s defeat surprised us all because like everyone else I picked him to win,” said Tete.
“But now I guess it is up to me to wipe away the African tears by winning my fight in style.”
Tete will be fighting at the venue for the third time, having left a lasting impression in his two previous appearances, stopping both Liverpudlian Paul Butler and Mexican Jose Santos Gonzalez in seven and eight rounds respectively.
He already commands a good following in Liverpool after signing with top British promoter Frank Warren, who will stage Saturday’s fight.
Since arriving on Sunday with Mtya, manager Mla Tengimfene and assistant trainer and father Zolani, Tete has done light training and today he will participate in the final press conference of the tournament.
Tete will share the bill with WBO junior-middleweight champion Liam Smith, who will risk his belt against Predrag Radosevic of Montenegro.
While England is renowned for its inclement weather, the SA camp has been surprised by the good weather which makes it easy for the Mdantsane boxer to go for morning runs.
The 28-year-old is hoping a win will bring him closer to a world title challenge and is already targeting two British boxers: Jamie McDonnell, who holds the WBA crown, and Lee Haskins, who is in possession of the IBF diadem.
But Makabu’s stunning defeat has reminded Tete that carrying a favourite tag does not win bouts, but getting into the ring to fight does.
“He is very aware that he is favoured to win but that will not divert him from the fight strategy,” said Tengimfene.
“If anything, Makabu’s defeat served as a wakeup call that we cannot take things lightly because we are favourites.”
Tete will carry a 23 fights winning streak against three losses into the ring, while Ruiz has lost five times in 26 bouts.
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