Tete could be world title spoiler
ZOLANI Tete stands in the way of a planned all-Filipino world title clash if he beats Arthur Villanueva.
Tete is scheduled to face Villanueva in a WBO world bantamweight title eliminator at Manchester Arena, England on April 8.
Should the Mdantsane southpaw fail to see off the Filipino opponent he will pave a way for Villanueva to challenge compatriot Marlon Tapales for the WBO crown on a date yet to be announced.
Tapales also has his own hurdle to overcome in the form of Japanese Shohei Omori, whom he will face in Philippines a week later.
But Tapales has already beaten Omori, when he knocked him out in 2015 for the very same title eliminator Tete and Villanueva will be contesting for.
While the script has Tete and Tapales remaining the last two men standing, there is a possibility of an upset.
Already in Philippines the boxing fraternity is already salivating about the clash, which will be one of the few times pitting two national boxers for a major world title.
The interest is shown by the constant monitoring of Tapales in his preparations against Omori. The media has even taken time to interview his sparring partners who all gave the champion nicknamed “Nightmare” a big chance of retaining his crown against the Japanese.
Meanwhile, Tete has also upped the ante for his clash against Villanueva. The lefthander is now wrapping up camp in Johannesburg having done almost everything before his departure for England next week.
“We are ready for anything now and we will be closing the camp before leaving for England,” said manager Mla Tengimfene. – Boxing Mecca Correspondent.