Two-Time World Champion Zolani Tete Shot Dead In South Africa Ambush

Two-time world boxing champion Zolani Tete has been fatally shot in an ambush outside his home in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

According to SABC Sport journalist Velile Mnyandu, the 37-year-old former champion was attacked at about 6:30pm on Friday while returning from the gym with a 27-year-old woman in his vehicle.

Eastern Cape police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana said two armed suspects opened fire on Tete’s vehicle.

“In an attempt to escape the hail of bullets, the deceased drove his vehicle into the yard. He unfortunately succumbed to his injuries and was declared deceased on the scene,” Gantana said.

The condition of the female passenger has not been disclosed, while no arrests have been made and the suspects remain unidentified.

Tete leaves behind an impressive professional record of 29 victories, four defeats and 22 knockouts. He won world titles at junior bantamweight and bantamweight during his career.

He also holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest knockout in a world title fight, stopping Siboniso Gonya in just 11 seconds to retain his WBO bantamweight title in November 2017.

Tete had recently completed a four-year suspension after testing positive for stanozolol in 2022 and was preparing to return to competitive action on Sunday, November 29.

The World Boxing Association (WBA) expressed its sorrow over what it described as Tete’s “tragic passing”, extending its condolences to his family and the wider boxing community.

DAZN Boxing also paid tribute to the former champion, describing Tete as “a true champion”.