Former world champion Zolani Tete was shot and killed on Friday in his hometown of Mdanstane in South Africa's Eastern Cape province. He was 38.
Tete, a former titleholder at junior bantamweight and bantamweight, was reportedly returning home from the gym at around 6:30 p.m. local time when the attack took place. He had been preparing for a planned return to the ring later this year.
According to Eastern Cape police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana, Tete was waiting for the gate to his home to open when two masked attackers allegedly opened fire on his vehicle. A 27-year-old woman who was travelling with him was also present during the shooting.
Authorities said Tete attempted to escape by driving into his yard, but the gunmen continued firing. He was unable to get away and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Tete leaves behind a notable professional boxing career, having compiled a record of 29-4-1 with one no-contest and 22 victories by knockout.
At the time of his death, Tete was reportedly preparing to return to boxing on November 29 following a four-year suspension. The ban followed a positive test for stanozolol after his July 2022 victory over Jason Cunningham, with that result later changed to a no-contest.
A Two-Division World Champion
Tete became a world champion in 2014 when he defeated Arthur Villanueva over 12 rounds to win the IBF junior bantamweight title.
He successfully defended the belt in his next fight, stopping Paul Butler in the eighth round in Liverpool, England. The performance further highlighted the punching power that helped establish Tete as one of the division's most dangerous fighters.
He later moved up and captured the WBO bantamweight title, successfully defending the championship twice before losing it to John Riel Casimero in 2019.
An Unforgettable 11-Second Knockout
One of the defining moments of Tete's career came in 2018, when he recorded one of the fastest victories in world title history.
Tete knocked out Siboniso Gonya in just 11 seconds, producing a remarkable finish that remains one of the most memorable moments of his championship career.
The circumstances surrounding Friday's shooting remain under investigation as authorities continue to examine the attack.
