Philippines, 04 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


?I WAS FIGHTING ON INSTINCT? ? DONAIRE


PhilBoxing.com




MACAU - Nonito Donaire was a wounded winner when he stood behind the podium. He was gracious towards Simpiwe Vetyeka and said that he will face the now former champion in a rematch during the post-fight press conference.

Less than an hour after the exchanged blows for the WBA featherweight ?super? world title, they shared their thoughts about the anticlimactic ending.

Donaire said that he was not satisfied with the way the fight turned out and that he wanted a more convincing win. He said that the clash of heads in the opening round dazed him.

?I did not know what I was saying, I thought I was sparring.? Donaire said, ?My dad told me to sit down, you?re not sparring, you?re in a fight.?

?I was just fighting on instinct.? Donaire emphasized, ?I couldn?t see properly.? Donaire said he did not want to let the fans down. The Filipinos in the crowd inside the Cotai Arena gave the loudest cheers but they were on pins and needles until Donaire dropped Vetyeka in the 4th round. But with blood continuing to flow from the cut, the fight had to be stopped and decided by the judges? scorecards.

Was there anything about Vetyeka?s style that gave him problems?

?He?s very tall,? Donaire answered, ?He is a very good boxer. His wins against Daud Yordan and Chris John were not flukes.?

?My head wasn?t clear after the head butt, even during the 4th round.? He added emphasizing his disorientation after the accidental clash of heads.

?I just told him to go and win every round,? the champ?s father and trainer Nonito,Sr told this writer after the presscon. ?The cut took eleven stitches to close.?

Vetyeka congratulated the new champ but maintained his disappointment about the outcome. His trainer stated that there will be talks about their rematch which could happen in November. Donaire reaffirmed his commitment to a return bout.

The copy of the scorecards given to the media at ringside stated that all three judges ? Levi Martinez, Francisco Martinez and Raul Caiz,Jr - had it 49-46. They were unanimous in giving the first and third rounds to Donaire with the second round to Vetyeka.

The 4th round was the decisive round, the knockdown gave Donaire a 10-8 score on all three scorecards. The fifth round, which was when the fight was stopped, was 10-10 for all three.

Donaire speaks to the media at the post-fight presscon.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Boxing—A Spectacle of Masses and Millennial Stages
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • Golden Boy Promotions Vs Virgil Ortiz Jr going to arbitration?
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • Boxlab Promotions Signs Undefeated Nicaraguan Knockout Artist Jordan “La Cobrita” Orozco
    , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • STACKED MARCH 14 UNDERCARD SHOWCASES GOLDEN BOY’S NEXT GENERATION OF CHAMPIONS 
    , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • The Perfect Boxing Prospect 12-0 Marco Romero
    , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • Quietly formidable boxers Kristian Prenga & Pyrce Taylor continue Their assault on the heavyweight division
    , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • “Prince” Albert Pagara Flies to Perth for WBC Australasia Title Fight
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Ryan Daye vows a dominant standout performance in WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth Thunderdome 53
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Moncal, Mag-aso rule Legacy Run
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Lavant Brownlee Earns Gold, Lorenzo Patricio Earns Silver at Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Influencer Brooklyn Barwick Disputes hometown decision for NBA Americas Featherweight title
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • HALL OF FAMER WINKY WRIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND FESTIVITIES
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Reyes Siblings New Champions in US chess tourney
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Lorenzo Parra Delivers Stunning Second-Round Knockout at Sold-Out Manny Pacquiao Promotions Event at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Almacen Bros Score Knockout Wins in Exciting Brico Santig Show in Thailand Live on TrillerTV
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Lorenzo Patricio and Lavant Brownlee Advance to Gold Medal Round in Bulgaria
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • HALL OF FAMER TIMOTHY BRADLEY JR. TO RETURN TO CANASTOTA FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Paras stops Abcede in 2nd round
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Undefeated Welterweight Ruben Aguilar Stops Luis Lopez in Eight Brutal Rounds in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at University of Texas in Arlington
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Patricio, Brownlee and Awinongya Enter Medal Rounds on Day Five of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • IM Arca finishes in eight place in Pacquiao chess; NM Ilar pockets P100,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • DC Half Marathon on March 8 at Freedom Park
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Athletics Festival Season 4 on March 21-22
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Nuñez vs Navarrete: Knuckle Up for a Certified Banger
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Feb 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.