This year has seen an unusual amount of people in boxing die in violent or other tragic circumstances, a grizzly latest development.
Remember Zolani Tete the world champion from Africa?
He’s gone. That is official at this stage.
He got shot it has been confirmed at this point. More details and notes on the happenings as of the latest:
- Tete was shot dead on August 20, 2026, outside his home in Mdantsane, South Africa.
- He was ambushed by two armed, balaclava-wearing suspects at his gate.
- The suspects opened fire on his vehicle after arriving in another car.
- A 27-year-old female passenger was shot multiple times and remains hospitalised.
- Tete tried to escape by driving into his yard but died at the scene.
- No arrests have been made and the motive remains unknown.
- Police investigations are ongoing.
- South African Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie confirmed the death and appealed for information.
- Tete was 38 years old.
- He was preparing for a comeback fight on November 29, 2026, after a four-year suspension.
Who He Was
- Two-division world champion: Super-flyweight (2014-2015) and at bantamweight (2017-2019).
- Holds Guinness World Record for fastest knockout in a title fight: 11 seconds over Siboniso Gonya.
- Professional record: 29-4-0, with 22 knockouts.
- Won first world title in Kobe, Japan, stopping Teiru Kinoshita in July 2014.
- From Mdantsane, Eastern Cape; began boxing at age 8 with over 400 amateur bouts.
- Trained by South African boxing legend Vuyani Bungu, whom he idolised.
- Known as “Filipino executioner” for his strong record against Filipino opponents.
- Lost a title to John Riel Casimero in November 2019 via third-round stoppage.
- Last fight was a no-contest in July 2022 after testing positive for stanozolol.
- Protested his innocence and was planning an unfinished comeback when killed.
Zolani Tete had once been trained by Floyd Mayweather senior.
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