Zolani returns to the ring
by Ron Jackson | 17 November 2009 (16:31)
The return of Zolani Tete is one of the features of the tournament to be held at the Wembley Indoor Arena in Johannesburg on Friday night.
In the main bout, SA flyweight champion Moruti Mthalane and experienced Mexican Julio Cesar Miranda meet for the vacant IBF flyweight belt.
Promoter Branco Milenkovic announced the final bill on Tuesday.
Tete, who has a record of 11-0, with 10 knockouts, returns after a long layoff when he faces Tanzanian Anthony Matthias (24-13-2; 12) for the vacant WBO Africa flyweight title.
If Tete wins, his manager, Butityi Konki, wants him to challenge for the WBO flyweight title.
Michael Schultz and Tineyo Maridzo of Zimbabwe will fight for the WBO Africa interim super middleweight crown.
SA bantamweight champion Klaas Mboyane takes on Cleutus Mbhele again and Jeffrey Mathebula meets Tanzanian Rashid Ally in a six-round junior featherweight bout.
Mthalane, whose record stands at 23-2; 16, faces Miranda (30-4-1; 23) in a second challenge for the IBF belt.
In November last year he was well on top against Nonito Donaire when the fight was stopped in the sixth round because of a cut above one of his eyes.
A supremely confident Mthalane said on Tuesday there would be no mishaps this time. However, Miranda has won 22 of his last 23 fights. The only loss was against the 75-fight veteran Pongsaklek Wongjongkam in a challenge for the WBC flyweight belt in April this year.
Trainer Nick Durandt said Mthalane would accept a challenge from Tete after winning the IBF title. This could be a grudge match as Tete recently left the Durandt stable.
Schultz has a record of 14-2; 9 and Maridzo stands at 7-4.
Mboyane (12-7-2; 7), who is now trained by Gert Strydom, hopes stop Mbhele (12-9-1) again. Their non-title bout in July this year ended in controversy after Mbhele was knocked out in the fourth round.
However, immediately after the stoppage it was discovered that Mboyane had used eight-ounce gloves and Mbhele wore ten-ounce gloves.
Mathebula will come in with a record of 26-2-2; 12. Ally stands at 13-12-8; 2.
Remember to go to www.supersport.com on your Mobile phone and keep in touch with the latest scores wherever you are.
ZOLANI TETE
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