On May 29, 1999, the 23-year-old IBF strawweight world champion, Zolani Petelo (13-2-2, 7 KOs), faced Eric Jamili, in a title defense fight.
Petelo came in to the fight on a 4-fight win streak with a 41% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 10 months and 25 days.
Zolani Petelo made quick work of Eric Jamili, stopping the challenger via KO in the 1st. Petelo improves his record to 14-2-2 (8 KOs)
On December 27, 1997, a 22-year-old Zolani Petelo (10-2-2, 5 KOs) got a shot at the IBF strawweight title held by 23-year-old Thai boxer Ratanapol Sor Vorapin (34-2-1, 27 KOs).
Petelo came in to the fight on a 1-fight win streak with a 35% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 3 months. Vorapin was on a 27-fight win streak with a 73% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 3 months and 27 days.
Zolani Petelo stopped the champion via TKO in the 4th round of the 12-round world-title fight, winning the first world title of his career, and is crowned the new IBF strawweight champion. Petelo improves his record to 11-2-2 (6 KOs), while Vorapin adds a loss to his record at 34-3-1.
On June 2, 2000, the 24-year-old IBF strawweight world champion, Zolani Petelo (15-2-2, 8 KOs), faced Mickey Cantwell, in a title defense fight.
Petelo came in to the fight on a 6-fight win streak with a 42% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 5 months and 30 days.
Zolani Petelo stopped Mickey Cantwell via TKO in the 8th round of the 12-round world-title fight, and successfully defended his IBF strawweight title. Petelo improves his record to 16-2-2 (9 KOs)
On July 4, 1998, the 22-year-old IBF strawweight world champion, Zolani Petelo (12-2-2, 6 KOs), faced Carmelo Caceres, in a title defense fight.
Petelo came in to the fight on a 3-fight win streak with a 37% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 3 months and 13 days.
Zolani Petelo stopped Carmelo Caceres via TKO in the 7th round of the 12-round world-title fight, and successfully defended his IBF strawweight title. Petelo improves his record to 13-2-2 (7 KOs)
On December 3, 1999, the 24-year-old IBF strawweight world champion, Zolani Petelo (14-2-2, 8 KOs), faced Juanito Rubillar, in a title defense fight.
Petelo came in to the fight on a 5-fight win streak with a 44% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 6 months and 4 days.
Zolani Petelo defeated Juanito Rubillar via unanimous decision and successfully defended his IBF strawweight title. Petelo improves his record to 15-2-2
On March 21, 1998, the 22-year-old IBF strawweight world champion, Zolani Petelo (11-2-2, 6 KOs), faced Faisol Akbar, in a title defense fight.
Petelo came in to the fight on a 2-fight win streak with a 40% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 2 months and 22 days.
Zolani Petelo defeated Faisol Akbar via split decision and successfully defended his IBF strawweight title. Petelo improves his record to 12-2-2
On August 7, 1994, an 18-year-old Zolani Petelo (5-0-2, 2 KOs) and Xolani Sithhole met in the ring.
Petelo came in to the fight after a draw in his last fight with a 28% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 1 month and 26 days.
Zolani Petelo stopped Xolani Sithhole via KO in the 2nd round. Petelo improves his record to 6-0-2 (3 KOs)
On September 29, 2001, a 26-year-old Zolani Petelo (17-2-2, 9 KOs) got a shot at the light-flyweight IBF title held by 35-year-old Mexican boxer Ricardo Lopez (50-0-1, 37 KOs).
Petelo came in to the fight on a 8-fight win streak with a 42% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 5 months and 7 days. López was on a 3-fight win streak with a 72% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 9 months and 27 days.
Ricardo López stopped Zolani Petelo via KO in the 8th round of the 12-round world-title fight, and successfully defended his IBF light-flyweight title. López improves his record to 51-0-1 (38 KOs), while Petelo adds a loss to his record at 17-3-2.
On September 27, 1997, a 22-year-old Zolani Petelo (9-2-2, 4 KOs) and Mnyamezeli Shosha met in the ring.
Petelo came in to the fight on a 2-fight losing streak with a 30% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 5 months and 7 days.
Zolani Petelo stopped Mnyamezeli Shosha via KO in the 6th round. Petelo improves his record to 10-2-2 (5 KOs)
On July 14, 1996, a 20-year-old Zolani Petelo (8-0-2, 3 KOs) and Xola Made met in the ring for the 2nd time,.
Petelo came in to the fight on a 3-fight win streak with a 30% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 4 months and 26 days.
In the rematch, Zolani Petelo stopped Xola Made via KO in the 6th round. Petelo improves his record to 9-0-2 (4 KOs)