TWO-TIME WORLD CHAMPION ZOLANI TETE KILLED OUTSIDE SOUTH AFRICA HOME

Two-time world boxing champion Zolani Tete was fatally shot outside his home in South Africa on Friday.

The 38-year-old boxer was reportedly sitting inside his vehicle and waiting for the gate to his Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, residence to open when two masked gunmen approached and opened fire.

A 27-year-old woman who was inside the vehicle was also shot and remains hospitalized. The suspects fled the scene, and authorities have launched an investigation into the deadly ambush.

“South Africa has lost one of the finest fighters it has ever produced,” said Gayton McKenzie, the country’s minister of sport, arts and culture.

Tete captured the IBF super-flyweight championship in 2014 and held the WBO bantamweight title from 2017 to 2019. He also earned a Guinness World Record in 2017 after knocking out Siboniso Gonya just 11 seconds into their title fight—the fastest knockout in a world championship bout.

Throughout his career, Tete competed several times in the United Kingdom, including a 2015 victory over Liverpool boxer Paul Butler. His final appearance came in July 2022, when he defeated British fighter Jason Cunningham by knockout in London. The result was later overturned to a no-contest after Tete tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid stanozolol. He subsequently received a four-year suspension.

That suspension ended on July 29, 2026, and Tete had reportedly returned to training in preparation for a comeback fight scheduled for November 29.

He finished his professional career with 29 victories, four losses and one no-contest in 34 fights.

Tributes have poured in from across the boxing community. Japanese champion Naoya Inoue remembered Tete as a “wonderful boxer,” while John Riel Casimero—who defeated Tete for the WBO bantamweight championship in 2019—said he was shocked and heartbroken by the news.

“We shared the canvas and pushed each other to be our absolute best inside the squared ring,” Casimero said. “A true warrior and champion. Rest in peace, champ.”

Tete’s manager, Mlandeli Tengimfene, described the loss as devastating, noting that the boxer died just as they believed he was ready to revive his career.

The WBO also extended its condolences to Tete’s family, friends and the South African boxing community, ending its tribute with: “Rest in peace, champion.”

Let’s keep his family and fans in our prayers over this devastating news to the boxing world.