History beckons for champ Tete
After being caught up in a dilemma over which event to attend, world boxing champion Zolani Tete finally decided to honour the invitation to the WBO Convention which is currently under way in Panama.
Tete jetted out of the country at the weekend to attend the convention where he will share the stage with current and former world champions.
The convention will also feature an awards banquet where Tete is expected to be one of the recipients.
His spectacular 11-second knockout of Siboniso Gonya when he retained his WBO bantamweight title in Belfast, Northern Ireland in April is expected to scoop the knockout of the year honours.
The fight broke all previous records as the quickest world championship bout.
Tete was also invited to be ringside in Glasgow, Scotland for the WBA bantamweight title clash between defending champion Ryan Burnett and late substitute Paul Butler this coming Saturday. The fight is part of the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) with Tete who booked his semi-final spot expected to fight the winner.
He secured his ticket when he beat Russian Mikhail Aloyan three weeks ago.
Butler, who suffered one of his two defeats to Tete, has replaced Filipino Nonito Donaire, who reportedly withdraw due to weight struggle.
Speaking to the media before his departure, Tete said he was honoured to be part of the WBO indaba as the only representative of the country.
“To me that trumps anything I have ever achieved; to represent my country and be introduced as a South African boxer,” he said.
“Anything else will just be a bonus.”
While being modest, Tete is front runner to walk away with the award and if he loses out it will be considered as a travesty of justice.
He, however, refused to say if he would be disappointed if he is not bestowed with the accolade.