Zolani Petelo


Zolani Petelo 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.

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, and Mickey Cantwell. 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.

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

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
24Loss17-5-2 Nkosana SobethuUD817 Dec 2005 Orient Theatre, East London, South Africa
23Loss17-4-2 Zolile MbityiMD86 May 2005 Centenary Hall, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
22Loss17-3-2 Ricardo LopezKO8 1:3229 Sep 2001 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, USFor IBF junior-flyweight title
21Win17-2-2 Roberto GomezPTS822 Apr 2001 Carnival City, Brakpan, South Africa
20Win16-2-2 Mickey CantwellTKO8 2 Jun 2000 Stour Centre, Ashford, South AfricaRetained IBF mini-flyweight title
19Win15-2-2 Juanito RubillarUD123 Dec 1999 Bushfield Leisure Centre, Peterborough, EnglandRetained IBF mini-flyweight title
18Win14-2-2 Eric JamiliKO1 1:2129 May 1999 Carousel Casino, Hammanskraal, South AfricaRetained IBF mini-flyweight title
17Win13-2-2 Carmelo CaceresTKO7 4 Jul 1998 Carousel Casino, Hammanskraal, South AfricaRetained IBF mini-flyweight title
16Win12-2-2 Faisol AkbarSD1221 Mar 1998 Carousel Casino, Hammanskraal, South AfricaRetained IBF mini-flyweight title
15Win11-2-2 Ratanapol Sor VorapinTKO4 2:0027 Dec 1997 Provincial Military Stadium, Songkhla, ThailandWon IBF mini-flyweight title
14Win10-2-2 Mnyamezeli ShoshaKO6 27 Sep 1997 Mdantsane Indoor Centre, East London, South Africa
13Loss9-2-2 Neo SebokaPTS820 Apr 1997 Orient Theatre, East London, South Africa
12Loss9-1-2 Lindi MemaniKO10 19 Oct 1996 Orient Theatre, East London, South AfricaFor South African mini-flyweight title
11Win9-0-2 Xola MadeKO6 14 Jul 1996 Kwazakhele New Daku Hall, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
10Win8-0-2 Mawanda SinekoPTS818 Feb 1996 Mdantsane Indoor Centre, East London, South Africa
9Win7-0-2 Kholisile NyandaPTS830 Apr 1995 Centenary Hall, New Brighton, Port Elizabeth, South Afric
8Win6-0-2 Xolani SithholeKO2 7 Aug 1994 Kwazakhele New Daku Hall, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
7Draw5-0-2 Zolile NgantweniPTS812 Jun 1994 Kwazakhele New Daku Hall, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
6Draw5-0-1 Fezile NgaloPTS827 Feb 1994 Kwazakhele New Daku Hall, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
5Win5-0 Butana KateTKO5 31 Oct 1993 Kwazakhele New Daku Hall, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
4Win4-0 Joseph NimrodPTS65 Sep 1993 Iqhayiya Tech School Hall, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
3Win3-0 Goodman Nketyana3 4 July 1993 Iqhayiya Tech School Hall, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
2Win2-0 Sifundo NyokaPTS423 May 1993 Iqhayiya Tech School Hall, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
1Win1-0 Xola Made43 Apr 1993 Centenary Hall, Port Elizabeth, South Africa