Zolani Petelo

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.

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

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. In 2005, he returned to the ring against former IBO champion Zolile Mbityi, losing a closely contested eight-round majority decision. After suffering another decision loss, Petelo retired from the sport of boxing.

Professional boxing record
Professional record summary
24 fights 17 wins 5 losses
By knockout 9 2
By decision 8 3
Draws 2
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
24 Loss 17-5-2 Nkosana Sobethu UD 8 17 Dec 2005 Orient Theatre, East London, South Africa
23 Loss 17-4-2 Zolile Mbityi MD 8 6 May 2005 Centenary Hall, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
22 Loss 17-3-2 Ricardo Lopez KO 8 (12) 1:32 29 Sep 2001 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US For IBF junior-flyweight title
21 Win 17-2-2 Roberto Gomez PTS 8 22 Apr 2001 Carnival City, Brakpan, South Africa
20 Win 16-2-2 Mickey Cantwell TKO 8 (12) 2 Jun 2000 Stour Centre, Ashford, South Africa Retained IBF mini-flyweight title
19 Win 15-2-2 Juanito Rubillar UD 12 3 Dec 1999 Bushfield Leisure Centre, Peterborough, England Retained IBF mini-flyweight title
18 Win 14-2-2 Eric Jamili KO 1 (12) 1:21 29 May 1999 Carousel Casino, Hammanskraal, South Africa Retained IBF mini-flyweight title
17 Win 13-2-2 Carmelo Caceres TKO 7 (12) 4 Jul 1998 Carousel Casino, Hammanskraal, South Africa Retained IBF mini-flyweight title
16 Win 12-2-2 Faisol Akbar SD 12 21 Mar 1998 Carousel Casino, Hammanskraal, South Africa Retained IBF mini-flyweight title
15 Win 11-2-2 Ratanapol Sor Vorapin TKO 4 (12) 2:00 27 Dec 1997 Provincial Military Stadium, Songkhla, Thailand Won IBF mini-flyweight title
14 Win 10-2-2 Mnyamezeli Shosha KO 6 (8) 27 Sep 1997 Mdantsane Indoor Centre, East London, South Africa
13 Loss 9-2-2 Neo Seboka PTS 8 20 Apr 1997 Orient Theatre, East London, South Africa
12 Loss 9-1-2 Lindi Memani KO 10 (12) 19 Oct 1996 Orient Theatre, East London, South Africa For South African mini-flyweight title
11 Win 9-0-2 Xola Made KO 6 (8) 14 Jul 1996 Kwazakhele New Daku Hall, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
10 Win 8-0-2 Mawanda Sineko PTS 8 18 Feb 1996 Mdantsane Indoor Centre, East London, South Africa
9 Win 7-0-2 Kholisile Nyanda PTS 8 30 Apr 1995 Centenary Hall, New Brighton, Port Elizabeth, South Afric
8 Win 6-0-2 Xolani Sithhole KO 2 (6) 7 Aug 1994 Kwazakhele New Daku Hall, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
7 Draw 5-0-2 Zolile Ngantweni PTS 8 12 Jun 1994 Kwazakhele New Daku Hall, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
6 Draw 5-0-1 Fezile Ngalo PTS 8 27 Feb 1994 Kwazakhele New Daku Hall, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
5 Win 5-0 Butana Kate TKO 5 (6) 31 Oct 1993 Kwazakhele New Daku Hall, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
4 Win 4-0 Joseph Nimrod PTS 6 5 Sep 1993 Iqhayiya Tech School Hall, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
3 Win 3-0 Goodman Nketyana TKO 3 (4) 4 July 1993 Iqhayiya Tech School Hall, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
2 Win 2-0 Sifundo Nyoka PTS 4 23 May 1993 Iqhayiya Tech School Hall, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
1 Win 1-0 Xola Made PTS 4 3 Apr 1993 Centenary Hall, Port Elizabeth, South Africa

See also
  • List of Mini-flyweight boxing champions

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. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
Achievements
Preceded by
Ratanapol Sor Vorapin		 IBF mini-flyweight champion
27 December 1997 – 2001
Vacated		 Vacant
Title next held by
Roberto Carlos Leyva
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