His suspension expired on 29 July, paving the way for the former champion to resume his boxing career.
Zolani Tete. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
South African sport has been plunged into mourning once again following the shocking death of former world champion Zolani Tete, who was reportedly shot and killed on Friday evening.
According to Ink Sport, Tete, a former World Boxing Organisation (WBO) bantamweight and International Boxing Federation (IBF) champion, was on his way home from the gym when the shooting occurred.
The Daily Dispatch reports that the 38-year-old was confronted by four armed men at his home in Mdantsane. He was reportedly declared dead at the scene following the shooting incident with one other person being rushed to hospital.
Tete’s death will come as a devastating blow to his fans, who had been eagerly anticipating his return to the ring after completing a four-year doping suspension.
His suspension expired on 29 July, paving the way for the former champion to resume his boxing career. Known as “Last Born” in boxing circles, Tete had been vocal about his ambitions to make up for lost time and pursue a third world title.
His career was interrupted after he tested positive for stanozolol, a prohibited anabolic steroid, following his bout against Jason Cunningham in July 2022. Tete’s knockout victory over Cunningham was subsequently overturned to a no-contest.
The former champion’s death has sent shockwaves through the South African sporting fraternity. It comes just a month after the country mourned the loss of Bafana Bafana midfielder Jayden Adams.
