Zolani Tete sets new world boxing record in Belfast

Fresh from the fastest knock-out ever in a world title fight, World Boxing Organisation bantamweight champion, Zolani Tete, arrived back to a hero’s welcome at his home town of East London on Monday.

The 29-year-old landed a stunning first blow on Siboniso Gonya’s chin at the SSE Arena in Belfast inside the first five seconds. The referee called off the fight six seconds later, setting a new world record in the process.

The previous record stood at 17 seconds after the bout between Daniel Jimenez and Harald Geier in 1994.

Tete now wants to unify the bantamweight division. He broke a world record that has stood for 23 years, for the fastest knockout in boxing history.

Tete knocked out countryman, Siboniso Gonya stone cold five seconds into their fight. By the 11th second it was all over.

Shaving off a healthy six seconds off the previous world record of 17 seconds. Zolani Tete, WBO Champion says, “We didn’t expect it to end so quickly. We know the fight was going to end short, but not that quick. I aimed for four rounds cause he’s a fellow South African, I wanted to give him three more rounds overseas, then in the fourth round, end the fight, but it was too soon I changed my mind.”

The clinical win in Belfast underlines Tete’s credentials as one of the finest fighters to ever come out of this country.

He has now set his sights on achieving even bigger and better things in his career.

Tete says, “Firstly I want to unify the division and WA and also looking at a WBC champion, Luis Neri from Mexico. We once spoke with him earlier this year, he was keen to fight me, but got tested positive in a drug test. He’s still dealing with that, so in the meantime we’re taking the Barnet route, if it doesn’t work we’ll also look at WBC champions.

Tete will step back into the ring in March next year, in a mandatory defence of his title against an Argentinean opponent.