IT IS often said it is not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.
Boxing manager Andile Sidinile has leaned towards this famous Mark Twain adage to help motivate World Boxing Association (WBA) Super featherweight champion Simpiwe “V12” Vetyeka ahead of his first title defence, against Filipino Nonito Donaire in Macau, China, on May 31.
Sidinile ? who manages Vetyeka ? said on Wednesday the South African cannot rely solely on his God-given talents to get past Donaire and will need to be at the peak of his physical and mental skills against the tricky challenger.
And to ensure Vetyeka acquires top physical and mental fitness, strength trainer Mike McLoughlin has been brought in to assist the champion during his preparations in East London.
“It doesn?t matter how good you are, the fact remains you?ve got to supplement that with other fitness measures,” said Sidinile on Wednesday.
Vetyeka has been hard at work in his home province and a typical day for him begins at 6am with an 8km jog.
Sidinile met Vetyeka at the East London beach after his run and they then proceeded to McLoughlin?s establishment to continue the training schedule.
Life has not been the same for Vetyeka since he beat Indonesian boxing legend Chris “Dragon” John to win the WBA Super title by a stoppage in the seventh round last December.
“My victory against John opened doors for me. Now I must just stamp my authority,” he said. “Look, I have been hard in the gym with Mike for six weeks now. His training is very tough. I have no choice but to push myself because I know what it does to an athlete. We train hard every morning for 90 minutes. Already I feel on top of my game.”
The champion has sparred more than 200 rounds in the six weeks he has been in camp and he said on Wednesday he had gone against the norm and decided against retreating to a secluded location.
The Eastern Cape boxer said spending time with his new bride ? they were married in January ? and two children during his preparation was enough motivation.
McLoughlin ? who is a former body builder ? said that Vetyeka had a strong mind and this would see him through in the final weeks of his training schedule.
“The general level of fitness for an elite athlete is 61, but Simpiwe is already at 79. I also make him do cardio-aerobic muscle power and strength training. That will enable him to take control of a fight no matter how high the pace. Remember, competition in boxing begins even before a boxer enters the ring.”
Vetyeka rewrote the boxing history of South Africa and Africa in many ways last December when he dethroned John.
For starters, Vetyeka was a dark horse going into battle with the fighter ? ??Dragon” John ? who had been undefeated in 51 fights for the past 15 years. The Indonesian boxer was bidding for his 19th defence of the WBA belt he won in 2004.
Preparing at McLoughlin?s establishment again may well prove to be a good omen as Vetyeka used the facility ahead of his fight against John.
The Indonesian hung up his gloves after being dethroned by a supremely fit Vetyeka, thanks to McLoughlin?s training methods as well as great game-reading skills by trainers Vuyani Bungu and Lennox Mpulampula.
Vetyeka?s fight against Donaire will be staged by the Filipino?s American promoter, Bob Arum, whose tournament will be televised by HBO.
The fight is made for Donaire to redeem himself after losing to Guilermo Rigondeaux for the WBA, WBO and The Ring junior featherweight belts late last year.
