One of South Africa’s most recognisable former world champions, Moruti ‘Babyface’ Mthalane, has remembered the late Zolani ‘Last Born’ Tete, who was gunned down near his Mdantsane home on Friday last week.
Mthalane, an erstwhile International Boxing Federation (IBF) and International Boxing Organisation (IBO) flyweight titlist, said that he had expected Tete to return to action and rule the world again.
“I got the shock of my life when I received a message informing me about Tete’s passing away. It was like I was dreaming. This is a very painful moment to all of us who knew him,” the 43-year-old Mthalane remarked.
“Tete was my opponent before he became my sparring partner. I was very happy when he completed his four-year ban and I expected him to go on and win more world titles. His death is a very big loss to South African boxing.”
Lindelani-born Mthalane, a two-time IBF flyweight champion, remains the only boxer from South Africa to beat Tete. The former South African champion stopped Tete in the fifth round when he made his first IBF flyweight title defence at the Carnival City, Brakpan, in September 2010. – Monwabisi Jimlongo
