ZOLANI Tete jetted off to Japan yesterday confident of bringing back what he called a South African title - the IBF junior bantamweight belt.
Tete will oppose Teiru Kinoshita for this vacant title at the Portopia Hotel in Kobe on Friday. The title was last held by Simpiwe "Golden Master" Nongqayi, who won it from Mexican legend Jorge Arce in 2009. Nongqayi lost it in his second defence to Mexican Juan Alberto Rosas via a sixth round stoppage in 2010.
Tete, the No.1 contender, earned the right to oppose Kinoshita by winning the title eliminator in November when he stopped Juan Carlos Sanchez in the 10th round. He said Nongqayi told him in no uncertain terms to bring "his" title back to East London.
"I told him that I will do as told," said Tete, who left for Japan with his brother Makazole (SA and WBA flyweight champion), trainer Mhikiza Myekeni and manager Mla Tengimfene.
Tengimfene said: "We don't know much about Teiru. The first three rounds will be crucial for Zolani to assess this guy. I can tell you that once that happens and Zolani gets comfortable and starts with his stabbing jabs, cracks will begin to show and the rest will be history."
Tete on mission to retrieve 'SA title'
ZOLANI Tete jetted off to Japan yesterday confident of bringing back what he called a South African title - the IBF junior bantamweight belt.
Tete will oppose Teiru Kinoshita for this vacant title at the Portopia Hotel in Kobe on Friday. The title was last held by Simpiwe "Golden Master" Nongqayi, who won it from Mexican legend Jorge Arce in 2009. Nongqayi lost it in his second defence to Mexican Juan Alberto Rosas via a sixth round stoppage in 2010.
Tete, the No.1 contender, earned the right to oppose Kinoshita by winning the title eliminator in November when he stopped Juan Carlos Sanchez in the 10th round. He said Nongqayi told him in no uncertain terms to bring "his" title back to East London.
"I told him that I will do as told," said Tete, who left for Japan with his brother Makazole (SA and WBA flyweight champion), trainer Mhikiza Myekeni and manager Mla Tengimfene.
Tengimfene said: "We don't know much about Teiru. The first three rounds will be crucial for Zolani to assess this guy. I can tell you that once that happens and Zolani gets comfortable and starts with his stabbing jabs, cracks will begin to show and the rest will be history."
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