The 38-year-old was reportedly set to return to the ring following a doping suspension.
The international boxing community is in mourning: Former professional world champion Zolani Tete (South Africa) has died. According to news outlets, the 38-year-old was the victim of a violent crime.
“The World Boxing Organization mourns the tragic death of former WBO world champion Zolani Tete,” the WBO wrote on its social media channels, “We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, loved ones, and the entire South African boxing community during this incredibly difficult time. Rest in peace, champion.”
Over the course of his career, Tete had won the IBF super flyweight world title (2014) as well as the WBO bantamweight belt in 2017. Tete successfully defended both titles multiple times. In one of those fights nine years ago, the champion set a world championship record—which still stands today—with a knockout victory just 11 seconds into the first round. Tete last stepped into the ring in 2022; shortly thereafter, the boxer was handed a four-year doping suspension. Tete was reportedly planning a return to the ring.
As media outlets reported on Saturday, citing South African police sources, two masked assailants shot and killed the former world champion in his car outside his home. Tete’s 27-year-old passenger, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, sustained injuries and had to be taken to a hospital.
There was initially no trace of the perpetrators. The motive also remains unclear.