Former World Champion Boxer Zolani Tete Tragically Shot and Killed in South Africa

Former world champion boxer Zolani Tete has tragically lost his life after being shot and killed at his home in South Africa, according to statements from government officials. Gayton McKenzie, South Africa’s sports, arts and culture minister, confirmed late on Friday that the 38-year-old Tete was killed while sitting in his car. A 27-year-old woman accompanying him in the vehicle sustained multiple gunshot wounds and is currently receiving treatment in the hospital.

Throughout his career, Tete held world title belts, including the WBF flyweight category from 2007-2008 and the WBO bantamweight title in 2017 and 2019. Local police reported that the fatal shooting occurred in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, as Tete was arriving at his residence. While waiting for his gate to open, he was ambushed by two armed suspects wearing balaclavas.

The southpaw boxer achieved a major career breakthrough in 2014 by defeating Teiru Kinoshita on points in Japan to secure the IBF junior-bantamweight world title. He subsequently captured the WBO interim title before becoming a recognized world champion. Tete also etched his name into boxing history by recording an 11-second knockout with the very first punch of his 2017 world title fight against Siboniso Gonya, marking the fastest knockout in a world-title fight.

His impressive professional career concluded with 29 victories—featuring 22 knockouts—alongside four defeats and one no contest. His final ring appearance took place in July 2022 at London’s Wembley Arena in the United Kingdom, where he defeated Britain’s Jason Cunningham. Although a later positive test for stanozolol resulted in the bout's outcome being overturned and a four-year suspension, Tete consistently denied knowingly taking the banned substance. With his suspension having expired in July, he had been actively training toward a professional comeback.