Johannesburg: Zolani Tete, the well-known South African boxer who became a world champion in the flyweight division in 2007 and the bantamweight category in 2017, was murdered outside his own home, government officials said on Friday. The 38-year-old Tete holds a Guinness World Record for defeating an opponent in the shortest time.
Zolani Tete was murdered in his car. Attackers opened fire on him before fleeing the scene. A woman who was in the car with Tete was also seriously injured and admitted to hospital. Tete had returned home in his car and was waiting for the gate to open when two masked attackers opened fire on him.
Five-Second Knockout Became a World Record
In 2017, Tete defeated an Irish boxer named Siboniso Gonya in just five seconds. In the fifth second of the bout, Tete landed a powerful punch that effectively ended Gonya’s challenge. When Gonya refused to continue fighting, the referee stopped the contest in the 11th second and declared Tete the winner. Since then, Tete’s name has remained in the Guinness World Records for the fastest victory in boxing.
Ban Ended Just 20 Days Earlier
Tete had been banned from boxing after reports revealed that he had used the prohibited substance stanozolol a few years ago. However, his ban ended last month, on July 26, and he was preparing to return to boxing and make plans for further bouts when he was killed.
