Zolani Petelo

Last updated

Zolani Petelo
Born (1975-09-21) 21 September 1975 (age 48)
Ibhayi, South Africa
NationalitySouth African
Other namesTiger
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 6 in (168 cm)
Reach68 in (173 cm)
Stance Southpaw
Boxing record
Total fights24
Wins17
Wins by KO9
Losses5
Draws2

Zolani Petelo (born 21 September 1975) is a South African former professional boxer who competed from 1993 to 2005. He held the IBF mini-flyweight title from 1997 to 2000 and challenged for the IBF junior-flyweight title in 2001.

Contents

Professional career

Petelo turned professional in 1993, and accumulated a record of 10–2–2 before receiving his first shot at a world title in 1997.

Mini-flyweight

As a significant underdog, Petelo scored a fourth-round knockout over long reigning IBF mini-flyweight champion, Ratanapol Sor Vorapin, ending the champion's streak of 20 consecutive title fight victories. Petelo successfully defended his title five times against challengers Faisol Akbar, Carmelo Caceres, Eric Jamili, Juanito Rubillar, [1] and Mickey Cantwell. [2] He vacated the title in 2001 in order to move up in weight.

Junior-flyweight

On 29 September 2001, he unsuccessfully challenged IBF junior-flyweight champion, Ricardo López, losing by eighth-round knockout. [3]

Retirement

Following the loss to Lopez, Petelo remained inactive for the following three and a half years.[ citation needed ] In 2005, he returned to the ring against former IBO champion Zolile Mbityi, losing a closely contested eight-round majority decision.[ citation needed ] After suffering another decision loss, Petelo retired from the sport of boxing.[ citation needed ]

Professional boxing record

24 fights17 wins5 losses
By knockout92
By decision83
Draws2
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
24Loss17-5-2 Flag of South Africa.svg Nkosana SobethuUD817 Dec 2005 Flag of South Africa.svg Orient Theatre, East London, South Africa
23Loss17-4-2 Flag of South Africa.svg Zolile MbityiMD86 May 2005 Flag of South Africa.svg Centenary Hall, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
22Loss17-3-2 Flag of Mexico.svg Ricardo Lopez KO8 (12) 1:32 29 Sep 2001 Flag of the United States.svg Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, USFor IBF junior-flyweight title
21Win17-2-2 Flag of Mexico.svg Roberto GomezPTS822 Apr 2001 Flag of South Africa.svg Carnival City, Brakpan, South Africa
20Win16-2-2 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mickey Cantwell TKO8 (12)2 Jun 2000 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Stour Centre, Ashford, South AfricaRetained IBF mini-flyweight title
19Win15-2-2 Flag of the Philippines.svg Juanito Rubillar UD123 Dec 1999 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Bushfield Leisure Centre, Peterborough, EnglandRetained IBF mini-flyweight title
18Win14-2-2 Flag of the Philippines.svg Eric Jamili KO1 (12) 1:2129 May 1999 Flag of South Africa.svg Carousel Casino, Hammanskraal, South AfricaRetained IBF mini-flyweight title
17Win13-2-2 Flag of the Philippines.svg Carmelo CaceresTKO7 (12)4 Jul 1998 Flag of South Africa.svg Carousel Casino, Hammanskraal, South AfricaRetained IBF mini-flyweight title
16Win12-2-2 Flag of Indonesia.svg Faisol AkbarSD1221 Mar 1998 Flag of South Africa.svg Carousel Casino, Hammanskraal, South AfricaRetained IBF mini-flyweight title
15Win11-2-2 Flag of Thailand.svg Ratanapol Sor Vorapin TKO4 (12) 2:0027 Dec 1997 Flag of Thailand.svg Provincial Military Stadium, Songkhla, ThailandWon IBF mini-flyweight title
14Win10-2-2 Flag of South Africa.svg Mnyamezeli ShoshaKO6 (8)27 Sep 1997 Flag of South Africa.svg Mdantsane Indoor Centre, East London, South Africa
13Loss9-2-2 Flag of South Africa.svg Neo SebokaPTS820 Apr 1997 Flag of South Africa.svg Orient Theatre, East London, South Africa
12Loss9-1-2 Flag of South Africa.svg Lindi MemaniKO10 (12)19 Oct 1996 Flag of South Africa.svg Orient Theatre, East London, South AfricaFor South African mini-flyweight title
11Win9-0-2 Flag of South Africa.svg Xola MadeKO6 (8)14 Jul 1996 Flag of South Africa.svg Kwazakhele New Daku Hall, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
10Win8-0-2 Flag of South Africa.svg Mawanda SinekoPTS818 Feb 1996 Flag of South Africa.svg Mdantsane Indoor Centre, East London, South Africa
9Win7-0-2 Flag of South Africa.svg Kholisile NyandaPTS830 Apr 1995 Flag of South Africa.svg Centenary Hall, New Brighton, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
8Win6-0-2 Flag of South Africa.svg Xolani SithholeKO2 (6)7 Aug 1994 Flag of South Africa.svg Kwazakhele New Daku Hall, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
7Draw5-0-2 Flag of South Africa.svg Zolile NgantweniPTS812 Jun 1994 Flag of South Africa.svg Kwazakhele New Daku Hall, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
6Draw5-0-1 Flag of South Africa.svg Fezile NgaloPTS827 Feb 1994 Flag of South Africa.svg Kwazakhele New Daku Hall, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
5Win5–0 Flag of South Africa.svg Butana KateTKO5 (6)31 Oct 1993 Flag of South Africa.svg Kwazakhele New Daku Hall, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
4Win4–0 Flag of South Africa.svg Joseph NimrodPTS65 Sep 1993 Flag of South Africa.svg Iqhayiya Tech School Hall, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
3Win3–0 Flag of South Africa.svg Goodman NketyanaTKO3 (4)4 July 1993 Flag of South Africa.svg Iqhayiya Tech School Hall, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
2Win2–0 Flag of South Africa.svg Sifundo NyokaPTS423 May 1993 Flag of South Africa.svg Iqhayiya Tech School Hall, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
1Win1–0 Flag of South Africa.svg Xola MadePTS43 Apr 1993 Flag of South Africa.svg Centenary Hall, Port Elizabeth, South Africa

See also

Related Research Articles

Alexander Sánchez Sepúlveda is a former Puerto Rican professional boxer. He held the WBO minimumweight title from 1993 to 1997.

Daniel Gregorio "Danny" Romero Jr. is an American former professional boxer who competed between 1992 and 2006. He is a world champion in two weight classes, having held the IBF flyweight title from 1995 to 1996 and the IBF junior bantamweight title from 1996 to 1997.

Mini flyweight, also known as strawweight, minimumweight or super atomweight, is a weight class in combat sports.

Ricardo López Nava is a Mexican former professional boxer who competed from 1985 to 2001. He was a two-weight world champion, having held the WBC mini flyweight title from 1990 to 1998, defending it against a record-breaking 21 opponents; the WBA and WBO mini flyweight titles between 1997 and 1998; and the IBF junior flyweight title from 1999 until his retirement in 2001. He is one of just fifteen world boxing champions to retire without a loss. He is the father of undefeated former boxer Alonso López.

Duke McKenzie is a British former professional boxer who competed from 1982 to 1998. He is a three-weight world champion, having held the IBF flyweight title from 1988 to 1989; the WBO bantamweight title from 1991 to 1992; and the WBO junior-featherweight title from 1992 to 1993. At regional level he held the British flyweight title from 1985 to 1988; the European flyweight title from 1986 to 1988; and the British featherweight title from 1993 to 1994. After retiring from the sport, McKenzie has worked as a boxing commentator for broadcaster ITV.

Rosendo José Álvarez Hernández is a Nicaraguan retired professional boxer. He is a former two-division champion and is well known for giving Mexican legend Ricardo López two tough fights. He is the only person to hold the undefeated strawweight champion to a draw.

Ratanapol Sor Vorapin is a Thai former professional boxer. He is the older brother of former World Boxing Organization Bantamweight champion Ratanachai Sor Vorapin.

Hiroki Ioka is a Japanese former professional boxer who competed from 1986 to 1999. He has held world championships in two weight classes, having held the WBC mini-flyweight title from 1987 to 1988, and the WBA light-flyweight title from 1991 to 1992. He was the first ever WBC mini flyweight champion, winning the title immediately after the mini-flyweight division was created.

John Riel Reponte Casimero is a Filipino professional boxer and YouTuber. He has held world championships in three weight classes; including the IBF junior-flyweight title from 2012 to 2013; the IBF flyweight title in 2016; and the WBO bantamweight title from 2019 to 2022. Quadro Alas is Tagalog for four of a kind when translated, his moniker means Four Aces.

Boxing in the 2010s includes notable events about boxing which occurred between 2010 and 2019. The decade saw high intensity action in the welterweight division. The match between veterans Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao broke PPV records. The broadcast of the fight in the Philippines was watched by nearly half the country's households. Mayweather retired at a record 50-0-0 while Pacquiao became the first eight division champion. The middleweight division saw immense action in the later years of the decade. After a draw in 2017, Canelo Alvarez ended Gennady Golovkin's long reign in 2018. The heavyweight division was dominated by Klitschko brothers before Wladimir's loss to Tyson Fury in 2015. Other talents that emerged were Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder and undisputed cruiserweight champion Oleksander Usyk.

Eric Jamili is a retired Filipino professional boxer. He won the vacant WBO minimumweight title in December 1997 with an eighth round technical knockout of Englishman Mickey Cantwell in London. He lost the title in his first defense to Kermin Guardia six months later.

Paul Butler is an English professional boxer and two-time bantamweight world champion, having held the International Boxing Federation (IBF) title in 2014 and the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) title in 2022. He also held multiple regional titles, including the British and Commonwealth super-flyweight titles in 2012 and 2013, respectively.

Zolani Tete is a South African professional boxer. He is a former two-weight world champion, having held the IBF junior-bantamweight title from 2014 to 2015 and the WBO bantamweight title from 2017 to 2019.

Kosei Tanaka is a Japanese professional boxer. He is a four-weight world champion, having held the World Boxing Organization (WBO) mini-flyweight title from 2015 to 2016; the WBO junior-flyweight title from 2016 to 2017; the WBO flyweight title from 2018 to 2020; and the WBO super-flyweight title in February 2024. Upon winning his first world title in only his fifth bout, he became the fastest Japanese fighter ever to become a world champion. Along with Vasyl Lomachenko, he is also the fastest ever fighter to win titles in three weight-classes, having accomplished the feat in only 12 bouts. He also surpassed Oscar De La Hoya to become the fastest four division champion, setting the bar at 21 fights.

Mickey Cantwell is a British former professional boxer who competed from 1991 to 2001. He challenged for multiple world titles; the WBO light flyweight and mini flyweight titles in 1997; and the IBF mini flyweight title in 2000. At regional level, he held the British flyweight title in 1996.

Chamlong Thamwiyot, known professionally as Toto Por.Pongsawang or Toto Pongsawang, is a Thai retired Muay Thai fighter and professional boxer. He defeated multiple elite fighters in Muay Thai before transitioning to boxing and challenging for a WBA Mini Flyweight world title.

Deejay Kriel is a South African professional boxer who held the IBF mini-flyweight title in 2019.

Rolando Pascua is a Filipino former professional boxer. He held the WBC light-flyweight title from 1990 to 1991 and challenged for the IBF super-flyweight title in 1993.

Katia Gutiérrez is a Mexican professional boxer who held the IBF female mini flyweight title from 2011 to 2013. She also challenged for the IBF female junior flyweight title in 2011; the WBC female mini flyweight title in 2014; and the WBA female mini flyweight title in 2016.

Osvaldo Guerrero-Camargo is a Mexican former professional boxer who competed from 1991 to 2004, challenging for the IBF mini flyweight title in 1995.

References

  1. "World title fights 1999". Premier Boxing Organisation. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
  2. "Sports Digest", Glasgow Herald , 3 June 2000
  3. "Lopez keeps title with eighth-round KO". The Times of Northwest Indiana. 30 September 2001. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
Achievements
Preceded by IBF mini-flyweight champion
27 December 1997 – 2 November 2000
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Roberto Carlos Leyva