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Philippines, 20 Feb 2026 |
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DONAIRE BELIEVES VETYEKA IS THE BEST AMONG THE FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPIONS By Ronnie Nathanielsz PhilBoxing.com Fri, 14 Feb 2014  Vetyeka. 2012 ?Fighter of the Year? Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire has praised his opponent, WBA featherweight champion Simpiwe Vetyeka of South Africa who he is expected to face in a title fight in Macau sometime in May. Top Rank promoter Bob Arum is scheduled to meet with top executives of the Venetian Resort Hotel & Casino in Macau next Wednesday to finalize a possible May 10 date. Donaire told the Manila Standard that Vetyeka ?is a really good fighter. I think he?s the toughest of all the guys in that division. He?s slick he?s got power, pretty good.? Donaire told us that he?s started light training but would begin ?serious training? at the newly opened gym of his father and trainer Nonito Donaire Sr in Oakland, California in March with ?a lot of sparring.? He said that ?if the fight is held in Macau there is a slight possibility I will train in the Philippines.? Donaire and wife Rachel were excited preparing for the baptism of their son Jarel this week in Las Vegas. Vetyeka is coming off a stunning 7th round stoppage of long-reigning Indonesian world champion Chris John in Metro City, Western Australia last November after which John announced his retirement. The WBA named John its ?Boxer of the Month? for November. Boxing News reported that the 34-year-old John failed to come out for the 7th round after having been knocked staggered and knocked down in the 6th round by a series of huge right hands from Vetyeka. John had been hurt in the 5th round from a right hand from Vetyeka that hooked around to the back of John?s head that put him out on his feet. John was somehow able to make it out of the 5th, but he was in bad shape for the 6th. He still didn?t look recovered from the blow, and he also looked very tired and old. At 34, John looked old and not the same fighter who had been given a controversial win over Juan Manuel Marquez and a controversial draw against Rocky Juarez in his youth. Vetyeka was supposed to face John in a rematch under their contract but after the defeat, John decided to retire paving the way for Vetyeka to defend his title against another challenger. Donaire who is coming off a 9th round TKO win in a rematch with hard-hitting Aussie Vic Darchinyan in a featherweight fight he was losing on the scorecards of all three judges has been aching to move up in weight and win a fifth world title. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.  |
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