Tete eyes showdown against Rigondeaux

South African super-puncher Zolani Tete says he’d love to take on pound-for-pound megastar Guillermo Rigondeaux.

The former IBF World Super-Flyweight Champion from Mdanste in the Eastern Cape will feature on the same action-packed card as the unbeaten Cuban at the Liverpool Echo Arena on Saturday 12th March, live and exclusive on BoxNation.

Bantamweight Tete harbours dreams of becoming one of the greats of African boxing and is already making a name for himself as the most explosive puncher in his division with an incredible 18 knockouts in 22 wins.

The clinical southpaw says he could move up to super-bantamweight to face Rigondeaux after he takes on Mexican Jose Santos Gonzales.

He said: “You never know what the future holds but I won’t rule anything out. It’s one of those big fights you always dream of being involved in. Everyone wants to take on the very best and if the time is right it could happen. Rigondeaux is an amazing boxer and he is rated as one of the best for a reason so I have a lot of respect for him; he’s a true champion,”

“He’s a southpaw and I’m a southpaw, we’re both good boxers so it would be a great fight. It wouldn’t be easy but I believe I could beat him. I think it would be an entertaining fight for the fans that’s for sure.”

Touted as one of the best boxers to come out of Africa in recent years, Tete is determined to become a multi-weight world champion and plans on making the super-flyweight, bantamweight and super-bantamweight divisions his own.

He said: “It’s one of those big fights I’m looking for but Rigondeaux is two divisions higher than me and there are guys in this division and the next that I’m looking to beat first. When I decide to go up I’ll fight Rigondeaux or whoever is champion at the time,”

“When I’m changing weight division my trainers will make sure that I work on my power and strength so I’ll be more powerful than I am at super-featherweight. Moving up a weight won’t be a problem for me and I won’t lose my sting.”

Carl Frampton will defend his IBF super-bantamweight title against Scott Quigg on Saturday and the powerful Tete believes he has what it takes to beat the both of them.

He said: “I’d definitely fight one of them in the near future. With the skills and talent I have I believe I could conquer them. I am not taking anything away from them, yes they are true champions but I think I’ve got what it takes to put my name at the top of the pile.”

Flanagan v Mathews headlines an action packed card that also features one of the worlds greatest boxers, Guillermo Rigondeaux, taking on Merseyside hero Jazza Dickens; another star of world boxing, dynamite punching South African Zolani Tete challenges for the Vacant IBF International Bantamweight Championship against Jose Santos Gonzalez; Birmingham ace Tommy Langford defends his WBO Intercontinental Middleweight title against Lewis Taylor; hard-hitting Ellesmere Port’s star Paul Butler will challenge for a championship belt; Blackpool’s Matty Askin defends his English Cruiserweight title against Swindon’s Lawrence Bennett, plus Indian superstar Vijender Singh makes his Liverpool debut. The undercard features some of the best talent in Merseyside: undefeated leading world title contender Kevin Satchell; red-hot prospect Steven Lewis; European Champion Ryan Farrag; Manchester prospects Macaulay McGowan and Zelfa Barrett and Leicester ace Lyon Woodstock complete the card.

Ticket for ‘A Tale Of Two Cities’ are priced at £40, £60, £80, £100, £150* and are available from:

Eventim
0844 249 1000
www.eventim.co.uk

Liverpool Echo Arena
0844 8000 400
www.echoarena.com

Ticketmaster
0844 844 0444
www.ticketmaster.co.uk

A special V.I.P ticket priced at £250* that includes an inner ringside V.I.P seat, lanyard, complimentary beer, wine and soft drink (between a certain time period) and canapés are available to purchase through the Frank Warren Box Office office only on 01992 505 550.

The Channel Of Champions, BoxNation, will televise live and exclusive on Sky 437/HD 490, Virgin 546, TalkTalk 415 and Freeview 255. Subscribe at www.boxnation.com or watch online at watch.boxnation.com and via iPhone, iPad or Android and Amazon devices.