TATANGKAIN ni dating IBF super flyweight champion Zolani Tete ng South Africa na maging ikasiyam na sunod na biktima si one-time world title challenger Arthur Villanueva ng Pilipinas sa kanilang WBO bantamweight title eliminator bout sa Abril 8 sa Manchester, Lancashire, United Kingdom.
Nakalista rin si Tete na WBC No. 5 at WBA No. 9 sa super flyweight division at WBO No. 2 at IBF No. 9 sa bantamweight diadem kung saan katapat niya si Villanuena na WBO No. 1, WBC No. 13 at IBF No. 15.
“It has always been my dream to fight for another world title,” sabi ni Tete kay boxing writer Elliot Foster ng BoxingScene.com. “I’m very excited about the fight but I know it is one that I can’t lose if I want another belt around my waist.”
Matapos bitiwan ang IBF super flyweight crown, tinalo sina Mexican Jose Santos Gonzalez at Victor Ruiz kapwa sa 7th round TKO sa Liverpool, United Kingdom para matamo ang IBF Intercontinental bantamweight crown.
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“I want to be known as one of the best fighters in the world and clean up the rest of the belts, but first I have to get my hands on the WBO bantamweight title and to do that I need to beat Villanueva,” ani Tete. “From what I have seen of him I can tell he’s a strong fighter and hopefully he will put up a good fight against me but Zolani Tete will be victorious on the night. I’m delighted to be returning to the UK. It’s a great feeling and I won’t disappoint my UK fans. I’m going to put on an exciting show like always.”
May rekord si Tete na 24-3-0, tampok ang 20 knockout, samantalang si Villanueva ay may kartada na 30-1-0, kabilang ang 16 knockouts.
Hahamunin ng magwawagi kina Tete at Villanueva ang mananalo sa rematch nina WBO bantamweight champion Marlon Tapales at minsang pinatulog nito sa 2nd round na si Japanese Shohei Omori sa Marso sa Kyoto, Japan. (Gilbert Espeña)
