Every boxer dreams of fighting in front of his or her supporters because there is nothing that beats lacing your gloves at home.
This is the same feeling that erstwhile International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior-bantamweight and World Boxing Organisation (WBO) bantamweight champion Zolani ‘Last Born’ Tete has.
Tete has not fought in South Africa in five years thus he is itching for action at home. However, the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic has made things difficult for Tete, who has not had a fight in 13 months.
‘‘My promoter Frank Warren has always been open to suggestions, especially when it comes to me fighting at home. He wants me to be paid the same purse he pays me,’’ said Tete.
‘‘I’m also willing to fight here at home provided the money is good.
My manager is the one who will take care of negotiations as he knows how much I’m worth. So far no local promoter has approached us regarding promoting my fights here at home.’’
Mdantsane-born boxer had wished to defend the WBO bantamweight here at
home, but he was dethroned by Filipino boxer Johnriel Casimero at Arena Birmingham in Birmingham, United Kingdom, in November 2019.
‘‘My wish was to defend the WBO title here at home, unfortunately I lost it. It is still my biggest wish to fight here at home for the
right purse. People would have noticed that I have been fighting overseas for some time now,’’ Tete said.
Meanwhile, the 32-year-old Tete has urged fellow boxers to hang in there and remain hopeful about the future.
‘‘We must never lose hope, instead we must be positive about the future. Nobody knew what was going to happen in 2020,’’ said Tete.
‘‘Let us be careful because COVID-19 kills. We as boxers should also be serious about fighting this scourge. It might happen that this pandemic will continue for the whole of 2021. It makes sense to save money after each an every fight to prepare for times like these.
‘‘We as boxers should behave at all times. It is my wish and prayer for us boxers to know and understand the importance of being a boxer as well as things we should do and not do. I fully understand that we live in a society where we might be provoked at times, but that does not mean we should retaliate.’’
