A possible major split may erupt in the camp of the country’s lone major world champion Zolani Tete after his manager confirmed that he is on the lookout for a world-class trainer.
Tete is still basking in the glory of his feat of winning the WBO bantamweight title last month after his initial victory over Filipino Arthur Villanueva for a title eliminator was later elevated to a full title achievement.
This when the Mdantsane southpaw beat Villanueva with a lopsided points decision in Leicester, England two months ago.
Tete, who started out his professional career under legendary Mzi Mnguni before a stint with Vuyani Bungu, is now looking for a world-class trainer to elevate his boxing technique.
Now trained by former Boxing SA boss Loyiso Mtya, who inherited him from the late Nick Durandt, Tete confirmed that his world status necessitated for him to jerk up his technical team.
“This is nothing new. Even Bra Mzi sought international expertise of the likes of Luther Burgess and Terry Stotts when his boxers became world champions and now we feel Zolani needs to add some value to his technical team,” said the boxer’s manager Mla Tengimfene.
Tengimfene emphasised that the move was not aimed at kicking out Mtya, who has trained Tete in his last five bouts, but to bring in more expertise to the team.
“Bra Loys will still be there but we need someone to help Zolani improve in some areas of his boxing. Remember Zolani is not the target for every boxer in the world and he will be heavily scrutinised by some boxers we even do not know. So he needs to be prepared for everything that comes his way.”
Tengimfene added that Mtya would still be retained as part of the technical team if he was receptive to its beefing up.
The expenses of a trainer who is yet to be identified will be covered by a separate funder and not from Tete’s percentage of his purse.
However, Mtya has reportedly been reluctant to welcome the move with Tengimfene admitting that their brief discussion did not yield positive outcomes.
He, however, is adamant that the technical team beefing up will continue nonetheless.
“Unfortunately, this Zolani’s future we are talking about here. Everything will be done to consider his career.”
Tete is only the second boxer in the land to win different major world titles in different divisions following in the footsteps of legendary Dingaan Thobela who won the WBO lightweight before moving to super-middleweight to win the WBC crown.
Tete already boasts an IBF junior-bantamweight conquest, a title he relinquished without losing in the ring.
He is currently one of only two African boxers holding major world titles, the other being Namibian Julius Indongo who holds the IBF and WBA junior-welterweight belts.
Mtya could not be reached for comment.
Tete is looking to get back to the ring making a voluntary defence of his crown against an opponent yet to be revealed in September.
Tengimfene could not say if the new trainer would have been found by then.
Tete in hunt for new top trainer
Tete is still basking in the glory of his feat of winning the WBO bantamweight title last month after his initial victory over Filipino Arthur Villanueva for a title eliminator was later elevated to a full title achievement.
This when the Mdantsane southpaw beat Villanueva with a lopsided points decision in Leicester, England two months ago.
Tete, who started out his professional career under legendary Mzi Mnguni before a stint with Vuyani Bungu, is now looking for a world-class trainer to elevate his boxing technique.
Now trained by former Boxing SA boss Loyiso Mtya, who inherited him from the late Nick Durandt, Tete confirmed that his world status necessitated for him to jerk up his technical team.
“This is nothing new. Even Bra Mzi sought international expertise of the likes of Luther Burgess and Terry Stotts when his boxers became world champions and now we feel Zolani needs to add some value to his technical team,” said the boxer’s manager Mla Tengimfene.
Tengimfene emphasised that the move was not aimed at kicking out Mtya, who has trained Tete in his last five bouts, but to bring in more expertise to the team.
“Bra Loys will still be there but we need someone to help Zolani improve in some areas of his boxing. Remember Zolani is not the target for every boxer in the world and he will be heavily scrutinised by some boxers we even do not know. So he needs to be prepared for everything that comes his way.”
Tengimfene added that Mtya would still be retained as part of the technical team if he was receptive to its beefing up.
The expenses of a trainer who is yet to be identified will be covered by a separate funder and not from Tete’s percentage of his purse.
However, Mtya has reportedly been reluctant to welcome the move with Tengimfene admitting that their brief discussion did not yield positive outcomes.
He, however, is adamant that the technical team beefing up will continue nonetheless.
“Unfortunately, this Zolani’s future we are talking about here. Everything will be done to consider his career.”
Tete is only the second boxer in the land to win different major world titles in different divisions following in the footsteps of legendary Dingaan Thobela who won the WBO lightweight before moving to super-middleweight to win the WBC crown.
Tete already boasts an IBF junior-bantamweight conquest, a title he relinquished without losing in the ring.
He is currently one of only two African boxers holding major world titles, the other being Namibian Julius Indongo who holds the IBF and WBA junior-welterweight belts.
Mtya could not be reached for comment.
Tete is looking to get back to the ring making a voluntary defence of his crown against an opponent yet to be revealed in September.
Tengimfene could not say if the new trainer would have been found by then.
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