There is something about Zolani “Last Born” Tete and the Echo Arena in Liverpool.
The Mdantsane boxing hero seems to get his mojo when fighting at the venue as he again proved on Saturday when he scored an impressive seven rounds stoppage over Mexican Jose Santos Gonzalez to capture the vacant IBF International bantamweight belt.
The win was a double celebration for Tete, who had to put his 28th birthday celebrations on hold last Tuesday until after the fight.
Speaking from England, his manager Mla Tengimfene said his charge’s performance was “par excellence.”
“Zolani has now been officially accepted by the Brits judging by the reception he got after the fight,” he said. “The English fans are renowned for supporting their own and they now regard Zolani as one of their own.”
Already British fans are salivating about possible fights against the likes of English boxers including an IBF bantamweight title clash against reigning champion Lee Haskins as well as top contenders such as Jamie McDonnell.
“Tete is a quality fighter and he will feature in many of our upcoming shows,” veteran English promoter Frank Warren was quoted as saying. “There are interesting fights to be made for him here in the UK such as Haskins and McDonnell.”
But Tengimfene insisted that the Tete camp would sit down and plot the best way forward.
Tete was fighting for the second time at the Arena having previously knocked out local favourite Paul Butler in eight rounds to retain his IBF world junior bantamweight crown in March last year. His stupendous performance convinced Warren to tie him into a multi-fight contract with the first assignment being against Gonzalez even though he had since vacated the world title strap due to what he calls issues beyond his control.
He fought on the undercard of the WBO world lightweight title grudge bout between British rivals Terry Flanagan and Derry Mathews which Flanagan won to retain his crown on points, and Tete again proved his world title credentials when he totally dominated the Mexican, dropping him in the second round before putting him away in the seventh round.
Tete never put a foot wrong as he used his reach and southpaw stance to good effect to pile up points before closing the show in style.
Tete and his camp are expected to arrive in East London tomorrow at 11.30am.
Tete claims IBF crown in fine style
The Mdantsane boxing hero seems to get his mojo when fighting at the venue as he again proved on Saturday when he scored an impressive seven rounds stoppage over Mexican Jose Santos Gonzalez to capture the vacant IBF International bantamweight belt.
The win was a double celebration for Tete, who had to put his 28th birthday celebrations on hold last Tuesday until after the fight.
Speaking from England, his manager Mla Tengimfene said his charge’s performance was “par excellence.”
“Zolani has now been officially accepted by the Brits judging by the reception he got after the fight,” he said. “The English fans are renowned for supporting their own and they now regard Zolani as one of their own.”
Already British fans are salivating about possible fights against the likes of English boxers including an IBF bantamweight title clash against reigning champion Lee Haskins as well as top contenders such as Jamie McDonnell.
“Tete is a quality fighter and he will feature in many of our upcoming shows,” veteran English promoter Frank Warren was quoted as saying. “There are interesting fights to be made for him here in the UK such as Haskins and McDonnell.”
But Tengimfene insisted that the Tete camp would sit down and plot the best way forward.
Tete was fighting for the second time at the Arena having previously knocked out local favourite Paul Butler in eight rounds to retain his IBF world junior bantamweight crown in March last year. His stupendous performance convinced Warren to tie him into a multi-fight contract with the first assignment being against Gonzalez even though he had since vacated the world title strap due to what he calls issues beyond his control.
He fought on the undercard of the WBO world lightweight title grudge bout between British rivals Terry Flanagan and Derry Mathews which Flanagan won to retain his crown on points, and Tete again proved his world title credentials when he totally dominated the Mexican, dropping him in the second round before putting him away in the seventh round.
Tete never put a foot wrong as he used his reach and southpaw stance to good effect to pile up points before closing the show in style.
Tete and his camp are expected to arrive in East London tomorrow at 11.30am.
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