By Ronnie Nathanielsz

The Philippines Rexon Flores who once fought for the WBO flyweight title and dropped a twelve round unanimous decision to Omar Narvaez of Argentina lasted a mere 28 seconds against promising and undefeated South African Zolani Tete at the Orient Theater in East London.

It was a sensational return by Tete who hardly gave fight fans a chance to warm their seats before smashing the 26 year old Flores with a vicious left-right combination to the temple that sent the Filipino crashing to the canvas flat on his back.

Well known South African boxing writer Ron Jackson reported that Tete “came out fast and wasted no time” in stretching his unbeaten record to 11-0 with 10 knockouts. Flores fell to 19-6-4 with 9 knockouts.

Tete was returning to the ring after a mysterious illness in September last year when the World Boxing Foundation champion suffered epileptic fits and convulsions while preparing to do roadwork in preparation for a non-title fight against Argentina’s Sergio Carlos Santillan last September 29 forcing the fight to be called off.

Tete’s mysterious illness baffled doctors who gave him a series of tests amidst fears that his promising career could be over. But in a pre-fight interview Tete insisted he was feeling strong and ready to face Flores .

In his last defense of his title Tete scored an easy 1st round TKO win over Tanzania ’s Francis Miyeyusho on June 29, 2008. Tete has won 9 of his 10 fights on stoppages and is regarded as one of the brightest prospects in South African boxing.

The experienced Flores was coming off an 8th round knockout at the hands of Kenya ’s talented Nick Otieno (17-2, 7 KO’s) last October 11 in Davao City in the Philippines .

Flores was dropped twice by Otieno who finished him off with a vicious combination. Flores attempted to get up but fell down again and was counted out at 1:59 of round eight.