Quick Facts
VirgoBiography
Zolani Petelo (born 21 September 1975) is a retired South African professional boxer who held the IBF minimumweight championship.
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.
Minimumweight
As a significant underdog, Petelo scored a fourth round knockout over long reigning IBF Minimumweight champion Ratanapol Sor Vorapin, ending the Thai champion's streak of 20 consecutive title fight victories. Petelo successfully defended his title 5 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.
Light flyweight
On 29 September 2001, Petelo unsuccessfully challenged IBF Light Flyweight champion Ricardo López, losing by 8th 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 8 round majority decision. After suffering another decision loss, Petelo retired from the sport of boxing.
Professional boxing record
| 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 | 2005-12-17 | Orient Theatre, East London | |
| 23 | Loss | 17-4-2 | Zolile Mbityi | MD | 8 | 2005-05-06 | Centenary Hall, New Brighton, Port Elizabeth | |
| 22 | Loss | 17-3-2 | Ricardo Lopez | KO | 8 (12) 1:32 | 2001-09-29 | Madison Square Garden, New York | For IBF Light flyweight Title |
| 21 | Win | 17-2-2 | Roberto Gomez | PTS | 8 | 2001-04-22 | Carnival City, Brakpan | |
| 20 | Win | 16-2-2 | Mickey Cantwell | TKO | 8 (12) | 2000-06-02 | Stour Centre, Ashford | Retained IBF Minimumweight Title |
| 19 | Win | 15-2-2 | Juanito Rubillar | UD | 12 | 1999-12-03 | Bushfield Leisure Centre, Peterborough | Retained IBF Minimumweight Title |
| 18 | Win | 14-2-2 | Eric Jamili | KO | 1 (12) 1:21 | 1999-05-29 | Carousel Casino, Hammanskraal | Retained IBF Minimumweight Title |
| 17 | Win | 13-2-2 | Carmelo Caceres | TKO | 7 (12) | 1998-07-04 | Carousel Casino, Hammanskraal | Retained IBF Minimumweight Title |
| 16 | Win | 12-2-2 | Faisol Akbar | SD | 12 | 1998-03-21 | Carousel Casino, Hammanskraal | Retained IBF Minimumweight Title |
| 15 | Win | 11-2-2 | Ratanapol Sor Vorapin | TKO | 4 (12) 2:00 | 1997-12-27 | Provincial Military Stadium, Songkhla | Won IBF Minimumweight Title |
| 14 | Win | 10-2-2 | Mnyamezeli Shosha | KO | 6 (8) | 1997-09-27 | Mdantsane Indoor Centre, East London | |
| 13 | Loss | 9-2-2 | Neo Seboka | PTS | 8 (8) | 1997-04-20 | Orient Theatre, East London | |
| 12 | Loss | 9-1-2 | Lindi Memani | KO | 10 (12) | 1996-10-19 | Orient Theatre, East London | For South African Minimumweight Title |
| 11 | Win | 9-0-2 | Xola Made | KO | 6 (8) | 1996-07-14 | Kwazakhele New Daku Hall, Port Elizabeth | |
| 10 | Win | 8-0-2 | Mawanda Sineko | PTS | 8 | 1996-02-18 | Mdantsane Indoor Centre, East London | |
| 9 | Win | 7-0-2 | Kholisile Nyanda | PTS | 8 | 1995-04-30 | Centenary Hall, New Brighton, Port Elizabeth | |
| 8 | Win | 6-0-2 | Xolani Sithhole | KO | 2 (6) | 1994-08-07 | Kwazakhele New Daku Hall, Port Elizabeth | |
| 7 | Draw | 5-0-2 | Zolile Ngantweni | PTS | 8 | 1994-06-12 | Kwazakhele New Daku Hall, Port Elizabeth | |
| 6 | Draw | 5-0-1 | Fezile Ngalo | PTS | 8 | 1994-02-27 | Kwazakhele New Daku Hall, Port Elizabeth | |
| 5 | Win | 5-0 | Butana Kate | TKO | 5 (6) | 1993-10-31 | Kwazakhele New Daku Hall, Port Elizabeth | |
| 4 | Win | 4-0 | Joseph Nimrod | PTS | 6 | 1993-09-05 | Iqhayiya Tech School Hall, Port Elizabeth | |
| 3 | Win | 3-0 | Goodman Nketyana | TKO | 3 (4) | 1993-07-04 | Iqhayiya Tech School Hall, Port Elizabeth | |
| 2 | Win | 2-0 | Sifundo Nyoka | PTS | 4 | 1993-05-23 | Iqhayiya Tech School Hall, Port Elizabeth | |
| 1 | Win | 1-0 | Xola Made | PTS | 4 | 1993-04-03 | Centenary Hall, New Brighton, Port Elizabeth | Professional debut |