Former world champion Zolani Tete has been given a four-year ban by UKAD. 

That is according to his manager Mlandeli Tengimfene. The boxer is a two-time world champion having held the IBF junior-bantamweight title from 2014- 2015 and the WBO bantamweight title from 2017-2019.

And after having turned professional in 2006, his current record stands at 30 wins, 23 by way of knockout, and 6 losses.

The  highlight of his career has been the fastest knockout in a world title fight when he stopped Siboniso Gonya in just 11 seconds to win the WBO belt in 2017. 

However, the ban has the impact of preventing the boxer from fighting in South Africa, his home nation, following the suspension of his license. 

The boxer tested positive last year for the drug, stanazolol, following his knockout win over Jason Cunningham.

This has the impact of increasing strength, endurance and muscle mass. As a result, Tete’s ban will extend to 2026 at which he will be 38 years old. Therefore, it is unlikely that he will ever box again. 

With that being said, this is what Tete’s manager had to say.

Tete’s Manager

"Four years without a fight at 35 is a long time, so, ja, we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. The first blow for us was when it was confirmed that Zolani had tested positive for doping; the rest was secondary.

"At least it was something we expected, hoping for the best after the hearing. Four years is mandatory, however, we were given an option: agree that he doped, divulge the source and we will be given three years.

"It was tempting but the fact that Zolani did not dope meant we would rather accept the four years. Zolani was always cautious; he’s been tested 10 times before and he knew he was going to be tested after his fight with Jason. I will always be there for him because he did not disappoint me.

"Four years down the line, Zolani will graduate with a sports management degree," Tengimfene said 

Tszyu On Charlo’s Mindset

In reality, the sport of boxing has been plagued by doping scandals. And the sooner that tougher punishments are handed out, then the quicker the issue will be addressed. And there is no getting away from that.

Meanwhile, Tim Tszyu has questioned Jermell Charlo’s belief that he can beat Canelo Alvarez. 

Charlo will jump up two weight classes in order to take on Canelo at 168 for his undisputed super-middleweight titles.

A victory would make Tszyu undisputed at a second weight class and put him alongside Terence Crawford.

Although that may be the case, the Australian is not confident in the American’s chances. This was on the basis of Charlo’s prior comments about potentially coming back down to 154.

Therefore, that would only happen if Charlo were to come out second best. After all, a victory would require a rematch at 168. 

With that being said, this is what Tszyu had to say. 

"A year and a half, I’m supposed to fight him, and then he had the deadline. Rule are rules. There needs to be justice. You can’t just hold up a division.

"It’s wrong. If he [Jermell] wants that belt back, then bring the other three along with it because I want all four. He’s already talking about coming back down, which means that he already knows he will lose to Canelo," Tszyu

The Future

If that were to happen, then there is a chance that Charlo and Tszyu could meet each other.

Prior to Charlo fighting Canelo, he was on course to face the Australian only to pull out due to injury. Thereafter, Charlo chose to face Canelo instead as the fight with Tszyu never happened.

But since the WBO have stripped Charlo for not facing his mandatory, Tszyu, a fight with the Australian at 154 may make more sense now that the latter will be made the full champion once Charlo’s fight with Canelo begins. 

Moving forward, Tete’s future in the sport appears to be over. At the age of 38, once the ban ends, the former world champion will not be able to command the big names.

Unfortunately, the fighter’s legacy will be impacted as the world title accomplishments will now be put on the back burner.

As for Charlo and Tszyu, both fighters have plenty of time to make history moving forward.