A well-publicised split in the camp of world boxing champion Zolani Tete has finally turned into a reconciliation after his handlers resumed working relations again.
This has seen chief trainer Loyiso Mtya again resuming duties of training the WBO world bantamweight champion after he and manager Mla Tengimfene smoked the peace pipe.
The relations between the duo soured shortly after Tete returned from England where he won the title with a lopsided victory over Filipino Arthur Villanueva in a fight originally billed as an elimination bout in April last year.
While celebrations were expected to go off the roof with Tete’s second major world triumph after previously ruling supreme as an IBF junior bantamweight king, matters turned pear-shaped when his handlers instead traded verbal blows in the media.
This after Tengimfene had revealed that Tete’s technical team would be revamped with an addition of a world class trainer.
Mtya claimed ignorance of the plans arguing it was never discussed with him.
The feud resulted to Mtya refusing to go to All Winners boxing club to resume his training duties of Tete and other boxers.
When Tete prepared for his record- breaking world title defence against KwaZulu-Natal boxer Siboniso Gonya, training duties were handled by Mtya’s assistant trainers Mhikiza Myekeni and Phumzile Matyhila.
Despite Tete ending the fight in 11 seconds to set a new record for the fastest world title bout, Tengimfene felt Mtya’s presence in the team was still needed.
“We needed that father figure in the team and Bra Loyz’ absence was glaring,” Tengimfene said.
“We are one team that does not just celebrate a victory without scrutinising it. We sit down and go through everything that happened so that we can keep improving.”
Mtya was equally ecstatic with the reconciliation insisting that he never really left Tete’s team in spirit.
“Even when I was not there I could feel myself acting as if I am still there,” he said.
“When Zolani made his ring entrance for his fight with Gonya I saw myself walking with him even though I was not there in person.”
Mtya has already started working with Tete even though the 29 year-old boxer is still doing light training after injuring a calf muscle forcing the postponement of his second title defence against Argentinean veteran Omar Narvaez.
Mtya said he was relieved now that differences that made him to stay away have been resolved.
“I could see the relief in almost everyone’s face when I came back,” he added.
“It was like the return of a father and Zolani’s body language conveyed a warm welcome for me. Even Mla is relieved and now we are taking off where we left.”
Regarding Tete’s record-breaking feat in his absence, Mtya said people should now expect the left hander to continue with his reign of terror.
“Zolani is turning every difficult fight into a stroll in the park but now expect him to continue with his separation of opponents from their senses.”
He said the Mdantsane boxer would return to full fitness within weeks to escalate his preparations for Narvaez and ultimately face Japanese star Naoya Inoue who has already indicated that he would move up a division to challenge Tete.
Besides Tete, Mtya also trains all boxers at All Winners including the boxer’s brother Makazole and female boxing sensation Sharoddene Fortuin.
Tete’s handlers mend cracks
This has seen chief trainer Loyiso Mtya again resuming duties of training the WBO world bantamweight champion after he and manager Mla Tengimfene smoked the peace pipe.
The relations between the duo soured shortly after Tete returned from England where he won the title with a lopsided victory over Filipino Arthur Villanueva in a fight originally billed as an elimination bout in April last year.
While celebrations were expected to go off the roof with Tete’s second major world triumph after previously ruling supreme as an IBF junior bantamweight king, matters turned pear-shaped when his handlers instead traded verbal blows in the media.
This after Tengimfene had revealed that Tete’s technical team would be revamped with an addition of a world class trainer.
Mtya claimed ignorance of the plans arguing it was never discussed with him.
The feud resulted to Mtya refusing to go to All Winners boxing club to resume his training duties of Tete and other boxers.
When Tete prepared for his record- breaking world title defence against KwaZulu-Natal boxer Siboniso Gonya, training duties were handled by Mtya’s assistant trainers Mhikiza Myekeni and Phumzile Matyhila.
Despite Tete ending the fight in 11 seconds to set a new record for the fastest world title bout, Tengimfene felt Mtya’s presence in the team was still needed.
“We needed that father figure in the team and Bra Loyz’ absence was glaring,” Tengimfene said.
“We are one team that does not just celebrate a victory without scrutinising it. We sit down and go through everything that happened so that we can keep improving.”
Mtya was equally ecstatic with the reconciliation insisting that he never really left Tete’s team in spirit.
“Even when I was not there I could feel myself acting as if I am still there,” he said.
“When Zolani made his ring entrance for his fight with Gonya I saw myself walking with him even though I was not there in person.”
Mtya has already started working with Tete even though the 29 year-old boxer is still doing light training after injuring a calf muscle forcing the postponement of his second title defence against Argentinean veteran Omar Narvaez.
Mtya said he was relieved now that differences that made him to stay away have been resolved.
“I could see the relief in almost everyone’s face when I came back,” he added.
“It was like the return of a father and Zolani’s body language conveyed a warm welcome for me. Even Mla is relieved and now we are taking off where we left.”
Regarding Tete’s record-breaking feat in his absence, Mtya said people should now expect the left hander to continue with his reign of terror.
“Zolani is turning every difficult fight into a stroll in the park but now expect him to continue with his separation of opponents from their senses.”
He said the Mdantsane boxer would return to full fitness within weeks to escalate his preparations for Narvaez and ultimately face Japanese star Naoya Inoue who has already indicated that he would move up a division to challenge Tete.
Besides Tete, Mtya also trains all boxers at All Winners including the boxer’s brother Makazole and female boxing sensation Sharoddene Fortuin.
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