IBF super-flyweight champion Zolani Tete has suffered a broken hand and has withdrawn from his title defence against challenger Paul Butler on Saturday October 25 at the Liverpool Echo Arena, but the Ellesmere Port star will still feature on the show.
The South African has broken the 2nd metacarpal in his left hand and a letter from his doctor Peter Chadderton (click here) confirms that he will not be able to fight.
The fight is contracted to take place between Tete and Butler and rescheduled date will be announced shortly.
However, the Ellesmere Port ace will still headline the Magnificent Seven title-packed show that also features Liam Smith challenging for the vacant IBF Intercontinental light-middleweight title against an opponent to be announced; Derry Mathews and Adam Dingsdale contest for the vacant WBA Continental lightweight title; Tom Stalker and Jack Catterall go for the Vacant WBO European light-welterweight championship, and Kevin Satchell challenges for the European flyweight title against champion Valery Yanchy.
Whilst disappointed that he’ll have to wait a little longer for his record-breaking world title opportunity, Butler – who defeated IBF world bantamweight champion Stuart Hall in June to win his first world title – is still upbeat that he’s fighting on the show and he’ll face Tete shortly.
Butler said, “From the high of winning the world title against Stuart Hall in June, it was devastating news to receive that Tete had broken his hand. My team are all gutted after the work everyone has put in for this fight. On a positive note, the fight against Tete is contracted to happen and I look forward to getting the new date and I know that I will just have to wait a little longer to get my hands on a second world title. I’ll still be on the Echo Arena show, so the training hasn’t gone to waste, and I can put on a top performance before facing Tete.”
Tete added, “It is with deep regret that I must pull out of this much anticipated fight with Paul. I have selected to take the advice from my medical team because I am terrible pain from the broken bone. Therefore I will not be able to fight on the scheduled date. For this I sincerely apologise and thank you for your understanding.”
Promoter Frank Warren said, “It’s very disappointing for all involved, especially for Paul, who has put everything into this world title challenge against Tete. Unfortunately hand injuries are part of this business, but it doesn’t make it any easier when it happens. We’ll announce a new date for his fight with Tete shorty, but in the meantime he will still fight on the show so at least he will keep active and get some more rounds in before facing Tete. It’s a fantastic show with Liverpool’s top talents Liam Smith, Derry Mathews, Tom Stalker and Kevin Satchell all in title fights.”
