Donaire and Tete will battle in Louisiana

by Samuel Rosenberg

WBA.com

Nonito Donaire got another chance in his career thanks to his victory in November against Ryan Burnett. The Filipino left the fight with the Super Bantamweight Championship of the World Boxing Association (WBA) by defeating the British native at the end of last year and now he will be the star of the evening in Lafayette, Louisiana, this Saturday in his first defense against the South African native Zolani Tete.

The fight will be part of the semifinals of the World Boxing Super Series, in which both fighters seek the crown. Donaire surprised the world by defeating a younger fighter like Burnett six months ago and took the belt after several years in search of an opportunity. The Philippine native will seek to retain his crown against the African fighter this time around in the ring.

Tete, who is also a world champion, comes from defeating Mikhail Aloyan in the first round of the competition. The 31-year-old African has not lost a fight since 2012 and wants to emerge victorious against a boxing star like Donaire, in addition to keeping the prestigious WBA belt.

The match will be the highlight of an evening that will also have the clash between Kyril Relikh and Regis Prograis for the WBA 140-pound championship. Donaire has 39 wins, 5 losses, and 25 knockouts, while Tete has a record of 28 wins, 3 losses, and 21 knockouts.