Tete to pit his skills against world best

ZOLANI Tete flew to England to attend a press conference announcing the Bantamweight Super Series, which he will contest with other world champions in the division.

The mooted series was finally confirmed, with Tete up against newly minted IBF champion Emmanuel Rodriguez, who beat Paul Butler last weekend to win the crown.

Another confirmed participant is WBA champion Ryan Burnett, who Tete has been chasing for a unification clash for a while. Tete even held two defences of his WBO title in Burnett’s backyard of Belfast in a bid to lure him. Now he will finally face him, depending on the seeding, which is due in July.

The series – which will also include the winner between Japanese star Naoya Inoue and WBA regular champion Jamie McDonnell – is expected to punch off in September.

German promoter Kallen Sauer will be the designated promoter.

Accompanied by his manager Mla Tengimfene, Tete was ecstatic to be part of this groundbreaking series.

“This is what I have been dreaming of – to test my skills against other champions in the division and for the division to produce one champion,” he said at the press conference.

Tengimfene said his charge would emerge as the last man standing in the series and cement his status as the best bantamweight in the world.

“Everyone already knows that Zolani is the best in this division, but it is good when we prove it beyond any reasonable doubt,” he said.

Other champions could not be present, with Tete content to display his WBO belt alongside Rodriguez, who also flashed his new title.

Besides the champions the series is also expected to feature mandatory title challengers, including Juan Carlos Payano, while the participation of Cuban veteran Guillermo Rigondeaux is yet to be confirmed.

The winner of the series is expected to walk away with all the world titles and the Ring Magazine crown.

Should Tete go on and win he will surpass any boxing achievement so far by a South African boxer.