TETE SETS RECORD WITH QUICK KNOCKOUT
SA champion sets new world record with 11 second victory
EAST London boxer Zolani Tete broke a world record for the fastest finish to a world championship boxing title bout when he knocked out South African compatriot Siboniso Gonya in 11 seconds at the SSE Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland, at the weekend.
Tete also retained the WBO bantamweight belt with the win.
The short fight broke the record held by Puerto Rican WBO superbantamweight champion Daniel Jimenez, who stopped Harald Geier in 17 seconds in 1994.
Before Saturday night’s fight, southpaw champion Tete had said KwaZulu-Natal’s Gonya was out of his league and promised that the fight would end inside four rounds.
Tete’s manager, Mla Tengimfene, said his fighter had told his handlers what his plan was for when the bell sounded. “I asked him just before we walked into the ring which of the things we practised in training he was going to do first – and he said he would not jab but throw a monstrous hook,” Tengimfene said from Belfast.
Indeed, Tete did not even set up his fight-ending jab as he threw the right hook, which proved to be the only punch of the fight.
The punch landed flush on Gonya’s unprotected chin and he dropped to the canvas – six seconds into the fight.
The referee started the count, but stopped when he realised Gonya needed urgent medical attention.
The challenger remained stricken for close to five minutes as medical personnel tried to revive him.
Tete was reluctant to celebrate his history making feat, as he was concerned for the safety of his fellow South African.
Gonya finally recovered, but was taken straight to hospital as a precautionary measure.
The victory was Tete’s 21st by a stoppage, with 26 wins against three losses. It was Gonya’s second loss in 13 bouts.
The sudden end to the fight was reminiscent of heavyweight duels featuring Mike Tyson, when he used to end bouts while people were still streaming into the venue.
But even American Tyson could not end his bouts as fast as Tete did and the Mdantsane boxer’s name will forever be etched in the history books for his devastating victory.
Gonya’s handlers could not believe what had transpired, with his KwaZulu-Natal promoter Thulani Magudulela in total disbelief.
When asked what had happened, Magudulela said: “I do not know. All I saw was Tete throwing a big right hook and Gonya was down and out.”
The fight capped a brilliant run by the 29-year-old champion.
Tete was making the first defence of the title he was awarded after beating Filipino Arthur Villanueva, in Leicester, in April.
Tengimfene said his charge would now chase for a unification clash with other champions in the division – including Ireland’s Ryan Burnett, who holds the IBF and WBA titles.
While the fight was held in Burnett’s backyard, the Irishman did not attend, possibly to avoid comparisons with the WBO champion.
“Burnett did not come to the fight, but that did not stop people from demanding that he face Zolani,” Tengimfene said.
“We are hoping that he will not run forever. But if he could not even be present at a fight involving a boxer holding a world title in his division, I am not holding my breath.”