Boxing South Africa (BSA) has sent its condolences to the family of the late former world champion, Zolani ‘Last Born’ Tete, who was gunned down outside his Mdantsane home in NU 17 on Friday evening.
The former World Boxing Organisation (WBO) bantamweight and International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior-bantamweight champion, who completed a four-year ban in July, was shot dead by unknown assailants.
“Boxing South Africa (BSA) has learnt with profound shock and sadness of the untimely passing of former IBF junior-bantamweight and WBO bantamweight champion, Zolani ‘Last Born’ Tete. The tragic incident reportedly occurred on the evening of Friday, 21 August 2026, in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape,” a BSA statement said.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Tete family, his manager Mlandeli Tengimfene, the All Winners Boxing Club and Last Born Boxing Promotions during this incredibly difficult time. Zolani Tete was more than a champion. He was an icon of South African boxing.
“He etched his name in history as one of the country’s few two-weight world champions. His achievements in the ring from winning the IBF junior-bantamweight title in Japan in 2014 to claiming the WBO bantamweight crown, inspired a generation of fighters.”
Tete made boxing history when he stopped Siboniso Gonya in 11 seconds during a WBO bantamweight title contest in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in November 2017.
“We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and the entire boxing fraternity. The sport has lost a true warrior and ambassador,” the BSA statement concluded.
In a career, which started with a technical knockout victory over Andile Solani on debut in May 2006, Tete registered 29 wins with 22 stoppages and four losses.
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