Two-time world champion Tete shot dead outside home
Zolani Tete, a former WBO bantamweight and IBF super-flyweight world champion, has been shot dead outside his home in South Africa.
South African two-time world champion Zolani Tete was killed in an ambush outside his home on Friday. The 38-year-old was sitting in his vehicle waiting for his gate to open when two armed suspects in balaclavas opened fire on him and a female passenger, who is still in hospital. South Africa's Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, mourned the loss of one of the nation's finest fighters, describing Tete as a "finest fighter it has ever produced."
Tete held the WBO bantamweight title from 2017 to 2019 and the IBF super-flyweight title in 2014. He also holds a Guinness World Record for the fastest knockout in a title fight, defeating Siboniso Gonya inside 11 seconds in 2017. Tete's last fight was in July 2022, where he beat Jason Cunningham by knockout. However, the bout was later ruled a no-contest after Tete tested positive for anabolic steroid stanozolol, leading to a four-year ban.
The ban ended on July 29, 2026 and Tete was reportedly training for a comeback fight. Japanese fighter Naoya Inoue and Tete's manager, Mlandeli Tengimfene, both expressed their shock and condolences over the boxer's death, praising him as a true warrior and champion. The WBO, too, mourned the passing of its former champion and extended its deepest condolences to Tete's loved ones.
Written by urgent.news from BBC Sport's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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