Butler warns Burnett to steer clear of Tete
The bantamweight Ryan Burnett has been advised by fellow boxer Paul Butler to avoid South African fighter Zolani Tete at all costs.
As the WBA and IBF title holder at the division, Burnett might have fancied a crack at the WBO belt held by Tete.
However, the 29-year-old Butler has suggested the Irishman might do better than to step into the ring with the South African.
Who would want to fight that guy?
Zolani Tete is the man nobody needs. He’s an absolute nightmare. He’s a long southpaw with absolutely frightening power. All I’d say to Ryan Burnett is this: ‘Don’t go anywhere near him unless you have to’
Butler would know about that. The Ellesmere Port-native has a boxing record of 26-1 – the lone loss coming at the hands of Tete back in 2015, with an eighth round stoppage.
Burnett is no pushover though – the 25-year-old had three fights last year, winning each one. In fact, with an 18-0 lifetime record and a string of arena sellouts, a chance at Tete might come along sooner rather than later, whether or not Burnett wants the fight.
Tete hasn’t lost since 2012, and would surely eagerly jumo at the chance to add the IBF and WBA belts to his WBO hardware.