Boxing’s drug controversies continue, with a general feeling amongst fans that punishments are too weak and slow-moving.
With failed tests coming worldwide and questions over agencies and authority, Zolani Tete’s saga beginning in July of 2022 is a good example of how drawn-out these processes can be.
The two-weight champion was found to have tested positive for banned substance Stanazolol after his fight with Jason Cunningham, which he ended by fourth round stoppage. He was notified of the findings in October and provisionally suspended.
Tete appeared in front of the independent National Anti-Doping Panel in July of this year, claiming contamination. That was not accepted.
The fight result has now been officially overturned to a no contest, and Tete has been banned by South Africa’s governing body, Boxing SA, for four years. When that is lifted in 2026, he will be 38-years-old. A career ender in other words.
Tete had fought seven times in the UK before the bout in question, most notably a knockout of Siboniso Gonya in Belfast with the first punch he landed to win the WBO World Bantamweight title.
He had previously knocked out Paul Butler in Liverpool to retain his IBF super-flyweight belt in 2015.
Cunningham spent six months out of the ring after Tete’s devastating stoppage before returning to beat Miguel Gonzalez by unanimous decision earlier this year. He was last out in July, where he lost by first round knockout to Liam Davies.