The South African fight public could be treated to a humdinger of a battle of gifted left-handers, Gideon “Hardcore” Buthelezi and Zolani “Last Born” Tete.
Buthelezi – a former IBO junior flyweight holder from Boipatong in the Vaal who is trained by Keith Rass in Eldorado Park – holds the IBO junior bantamweight belt.
Buthelezi won it in December after beating Tete’s older brother Makazole in front of his bemused fans at Orient Theatre in East London.
Zolani’s seven-round demolition of Mexican Jose Santos Gonzales for the IBF International bantamweight belt in Liverpool two weekends ago has earned him the No1 spot in the IBO’s junior bantamweight rankings.
A match-up against Buthelezi is one Zolani has been calling for since Buthelezi emphatically beat up his brother.
Tete, who is trained by Loyiso Mtya, told the Daily Dispatch: “I was not aware of that top rating in the IBO. I cannot let the chance to fight Gideon slip, but I already have something lined up in the UK. Maybe after that fight, I would gladly love to face Gideon.”
Tete’s British promoter Frank Warren is rumoured to want his newly signed charge to challenge current IBF bantamweight champion Lee Haskins from Bristol in England.
Buthelezi, who beat Hekkie Budler for the IBO junior flyweight belt in 2011, said: “The thought of fighting Zolani once crossed my mind and I told myself that time will definitely come for us to meet, especially after he seemed unhappy that I beat up his brother.
“If the IBO orders me to defend against Zolani, so be it. I am the champion. That will be a very good fight for the fans.”
Tete, Buthelezi clash on the cards
The South African fight public could be treated to a humdinger of a battle of gifted left-handers, Gideon “Hardcore” Buthelezi and Zolani “Last Born” Tete.
Buthelezi – a former IBO junior flyweight holder from Boipatong in the Vaal who is trained by Keith Rass in Eldorado Park – holds the IBO junior bantamweight belt.
Buthelezi won it in December after beating Tete’s older brother Makazole in front of his bemused fans at Orient Theatre in East London.
Zolani’s seven-round demolition of Mexican Jose Santos Gonzales for the IBF International bantamweight belt in Liverpool two weekends ago has earned him the No1 spot in the IBO’s junior bantamweight rankings.
A match-up against Buthelezi is one Zolani has been calling for since Buthelezi emphatically beat up his brother.
Tete, who is trained by Loyiso Mtya, told the Daily Dispatch: “I was not aware of that top rating in the IBO. I cannot let the chance to fight Gideon slip, but I already have something lined up in the UK. Maybe after that fight, I would gladly love to face Gideon.”
Tete’s British promoter Frank Warren is rumoured to want his newly signed charge to challenge current IBF bantamweight champion Lee Haskins from Bristol in England.
Buthelezi, who beat Hekkie Budler for the IBO junior flyweight belt in 2011, said: “The thought of fighting Zolani once crossed my mind and I told myself that time will definitely come for us to meet, especially after he seemed unhappy that I beat up his brother.
“If the IBO orders me to defend against Zolani, so be it. I am the champion. That will be a very good fight for the fans.”
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