The boxing future of former world champion Zolani Tete is unknown, and likely could be over, after he was hit with a four year doping ban by UKAD.

Mlandeli Tengimfene, who manages Tete, confirmed that his boxer is precluded from fighting at home in South Africa, after Boxing SA suspended Tete’s license when he returned a positive test in the first sample last year.

Tete will be 38 years old when his ban expires in 2026.

He tested positive for the banned substance stanazolol after a brutal knockout win over Jason Cunningham in July of 2022.

“Four years without a fight at 35 is a long time, so, ja, we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it,” said Tengimfene told Sowetan.

"The first blow for us was when it was confirmed that Zolani had tested positive for doping; the rest was secondary. At least it was something we expected, hoping for the best after the hearing. Four years is mandatory, however, we were given an option: agree that he doped, divulge the source and we will be given three years.

“It was tempting but the fact that Zolani did not dope meant we would rather accept the four years. Zolani was always cautious; he’s been tested 10 times before and he knew he was going to be tested after his fight with Jason. I will always be there for him because he did not disappoint me.”

While he mulls the rest of his life, Mdantsane would advise his charge to return to school.

“Four years down the line, Zolani will graduate with a sports management degree,” said Tengimfene.

Tete has been a professional since 2006. He racked up a record of 23 knockouts in 30 wins against four losses.

He is best remembered for producing the fastest world title knockout in boxing history, flooring Siboniso Gonya in 11 seconds to retain the WBO belt in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in 2017. The previous record was 17 seconds from a fight in 1994.