# 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.

## 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

| 24 fights | 17 wins | 5 losses |
| By knockout | 9 | 2 |
| By decision | 8 | 3 |
| Draws | 2 | 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 Africa | |
| 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 | |