Tete to defend WBF belt!

March 26, 2008

By Ron Jackson

In a clash of former stablemates Zolani Tete makes the first defence of his World Boxing Foundation belt against Xolani Ntese at the Orient Theatre in East London on Sunday afternoon.

The tournament is presented by Mzi Mnguni of Eyethu Promotions.

The southpaw Tete 8-0; 8 has only had 15 rounds of boxing since joining the professional ranks in May 2006 when he stopped Andile Solani in the first round.

He followed up this victory with first round stoppage wins over Thembinkosi Tywantsi, Xolani Ngemtu and Mthutuzeli Funde. The three fights only lasted a total of 2 minutes 46 seconds. In his fifth fight he was made to go five rounds before stopping Zukile Toko and then got back on track with one round stoppages against Vuyo Toyise and Wiseman Kega.

The taller and stronger Tete proved too much for Vicky Tahumil from Indonesia in September 2007 to win the vacant World Boxing Foundation flyweight belt. In a scrappy fight, the frustrated Tahumil who had a reported record of 33-1-2; 12 before the fight, took off his gloves at the end of the third round and refused to come out for the fourth claiming that he had been head butted.

Ntese 9-0; 6 who is now managed and trained by Manny Fernandes is rather bitter after leaving the Mnguni stable and is out to prove that he is the better fighter.

The challenger made his pro debut in March 2005 with a second round stoppage win over Mthitheli Kewuti and followed this up with easy victories over Luthando Lekevane, Khayalethu Magwaca, Thembelani Shushwana, Mangaliso Dyanti and Xolile Ngemtu.

However, in July 2006 he appeared rather fortunate to receive a six rounds split decision win over Ayanda Njengele after being down in the third round.
After this hiccup he came back in 2007 to score inside the distance wins over Zukile Toko and Joel Kunene.

This grudge match could turn into a real war with the boxing skills of Ntese up against the power of Tete.