The fight between Zolani Tete and Japanese star Naoya Inoue, which was hatched three years ago, is now close to happening.
Both boxers confirmed their participation in the World Boxing Super Series (WBBS) with the Japanese fighter’s blowout of Jamie McDonnell last weekend.
Inoue destroyed the Brit in the first round to claim the WBA regular bantamweight crown, adding a third divisional world title to his impressive collection.
After the fight Inoue committed himself to participating in the WBSS and mentioned his eagerness to finally face Tete.
Tete, who holds the WBO crown in the bantamweight division, as well as WBA super champion Ryan Burnett and Manny Immanuel Rodriguez, all confirmed their participation a fortnight ago in a press conference held in London.“I see that other good champions like Tete and Burnett are already in the WBSS and I cannot wait to face them so that we can crown one champion,” Inoue was quoted as saying.
His remarks were picked up by Tete, who told the 25-year-old that he would be warmly welcomed in the series.
“I want to remind Inoue that our possible meeting in the ring has been on the cards for a while,” Tete said, speaking through his manager Mla Tengimfene.
The idea was born when Tete was in Japan to face Teiru Kinoshita for the IBF junior-bantamweight crown in July 2015.
The pair started trading barbs, which escalated when Tete easily beat Kinoshita to claim his first world title.
Tete made a single defence of the crown by beating Englishman Paul Butler in a performance that convinced English promoter Frank Warren to sign him to a multiyear promotional pact. Since then Tete has moved to bantamweight, where he won the WBO title to become a two-divisional champion.
His participation in the WBSS will finally realise his long dream of becoming a unified champion.
“This series will afford us a chance to unify the division, which has always been our goal,” said Tengimfene.
“It could not have come at a more perfect time for us. This time next year we will be a unified champion.”
Tete is the only boxer with losses in his fight record in the series, having lost three times in 30 bouts while his fellow participants are sporting unblemished fight resumés.
Burnett is undefeated in 19 bouts and boasts two world titles, having vacated the IBF which was won by Rodriguez after beating Butler.
Rodriguez also sports a perfect record, having won all 17 of his bouts – slightly ahead of Inoue, who is yet to lose a bout in 16 outings.
At 30, Tete is the oldest of all his fellow participants.
But that has not deterred him from remaining the last man standing and walking away with the Muhammad Ali trophy.
Four other boxers are yet to decide but the foursome that is already in is whetting appetites worldwide, with Tete and Inoue tipped to go all the way to the final.
The draw will be conducted in July, with the first bout scheduled to be held in September...