Jason Cunningham has responded to the news of Zolani Tete’s positive drug test, which could see the former two-time world champion facing a four-year ban from the sport.
Tete produced a devastating knockout in the fourth round of the super bantamweight contest which took place in Wembley Arena, London.
Doncaster’s Cunningham hasn’t returned to the ring since. When he entered the fight, he was riding high on a run of seven straight wins. Whilst he’s said that his fighting career is not over, he’s already moved to the management side of things.
Upon hearing of Tete’s positive test – which came shortly after the fight – ‘The Iceman’ demanded answers via Doncaster Free Press.
“I had never been knocked unconscious in my life. What if it had been worse? Fatalities have happened before, what if I died? I have got a four-week-old baby.”
“I need answers, I deserve answers. Who knew? How long have they known? It’s not like a Conor Benn and Eubank situation where it was stopped before anyone got hurt. I got in the ring and got hurt.”
Following the fight, Cunningham said on the broadcast that Tete’s power was unlike anything he’s faced in the ring before. Speaking to Boxing Social about the concussion suffered, he said “my head didn’t feel like it was mine for the first week.”
His response to the doping test – which Tete’s team have said they are confident is a mistake – is a stark reminder of the dangers of the sport, and how any sort of manufactured advantage could have unthinkable consequences.
Tete’s B sample should now be tested to determine the future of the South African. The substance in question is anabolic steroid, Stanozolol.