Zolani Tete’s camp is insisting that the boxer has no intentions of cutting ties with top English boxing promoter Frank Warren despite reports that the Englishman is facing bankruptcy claims.
In reports that made headline news in the United Kingdom, Warren, who promotes among others Tete and heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury, was served with bankruptcy petition over demands by the taxman on Wednesday.
The 66 -year-old could not be directly served with the documents as he is in America to promote the eagerly anticipated WBC world heavyweight title clash between Fury and reigning champion Deontay Wilder.
The fight is scheduled to be held in US on December 1.
Warren’s legal team reportedly denied ‘bad faith’ by their client arguing that talks aimed at a resolution were ongoing.
Warren’s alleged debts were not disclosed.
However among his deals is the partnership with BoxNation network which televises his tournaments.
He has also entered into a deal with American television network ESPN in partnership with veteran promoter Bob Arum.
According to The Sun newspaper Warren lives with his wife Susan in a £2.7-million (R50.3m) home in Hertfordshire.
While the dark cloud is hanging over Warren, Tete who is the only African boxer in his stable of boxers, says he has no intentions of leaving him.
“Obviously these are issues very far from me and absolutely have nothing to do with me,” he said. “So far Mr Warren has delivered everything in our contract so I am very happy to be with him.”
Tete signed a multi fight contract with Warren’s Queensberry Promotion after beating then Warren-promoted boxer Paul Butler to retain his IBF junior-bantamweight title in England in 2015.
Butler was aiming to break a more than 100-year British record of winning a world title in a heavier weight class – the IBF title in the bantamweight- and drop down to lighter division to win another.
However, Tete used the opportunity to earn himself a lucrative contract when he sensationally knocked Butler out in eight rounds.
He has been fighting in Queensberry tournaments in England and Northern Ireland although his purses have not been revealed.
But the boxer’s manager Mla Tengimfene said the deal with Warren is a satisfactory one.
“We happy with everything with Frank and since we signed we never experienced any financial issues,” he said.
This year Tete renewed the contract with Warren in Cape Town with three more years.
He is currently involved in the World Boxing Super Series on the approval of Warren...