Hero’s welcome for star fighter Tete

WORLD boxing’s new knockout king Zolani Tete returned home yesterday to a hero’s welcome as scores of fans chanted songs and ululated all the way from the East London airport to the city hall.

With his WBO belt, which he retained by an 11-second knockout win over Siboniso Gonya in Belfast at the weekend, draped over his shoulder, Tete, 29, admitted he was surprised by the quick ending of the fight.

The win broke boxing’s record for the fastest knockout in a world championship bout and etched Tete’s name in the history books.

“I must admit, I was surprised by the quick ending of the fight,” he said.

“We had practised to end it quickly by at least giving Gonya four rounds but when the bell sounded there were two things going through my mind and that was to throw a stiff jab or a hook. “I opted for the latter.” He admitted he was concerned when Gonya lay stricken on the canvas as medical personnel tried to revive him.

“I knew the shot was good because I could even feel it in my knuckles.

“There are shots that need a follow-up but once I landed that one I could feel that there was no need for a follow-up. My knuckles were numb.”

Gonya took close to six minutes to be resuscitated before being rushed to hospital as a precautionary measure.

In fact, the fight took six seconds to end but it was stretched to 11 seconds by the referee’s count, which he abandoned when he realised Gonya needed medical attention.

Tete’s mother, Nomonde, was over the moon with her son’s historic win.

The proud mom said she could not miss the chance to be among the fans welcoming Tete.

“I was overwhelmed watching what Zolani did,” she said.

“I could not control myself and broke down. To see your son doing that can be too much even for any mother and it was no different for me.

“I think it was God’s wish for him to develop into this and he should thank the Almighty for his success.”

Among Tete’s arrival team was provincial Department of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture MEC Pemmy Majodina, who flew to Belfast to offer support for the boxer.

Majodina said she would love for Tete to fight at home although he had now proven to be a global icon.

“But we as the government cannot do it alone; we need the private sector to come on board for this star because now he is no longer our own alone but for the rest of the world,” she said.

Tete said he would be chasing a unification clash against other champions, including Irishman Ryan Burnett, who strangely did not attend the fight even though it was held in his own town.

“I think Burnett is now scared to risk his titles against me” he said.

The Irish boxer holds the IBF and WBA titles in the same division and there are also plans for Tete to unify with WBC champion Luis Nery of Mexico.

I must admit, I was surprised by the quick ending of the fight