UNEXPECTED pressure from the hierarchy of the International Boxing Organisation (IBO) has forced Simpiwe “V12” Vetyeka to vacate the featherweight title, his manager Andile Sdinile has announced.
“IBO president Edward Levine informed me in writing that according to IBO rules, Vetyeka cannot be fighting for another world title without defending the IBO belt,” said an unperturbed Sdinile on Tuesday.
The IBO?s stance comes after the confirmation that Vetyeka will defend the WBA Super belt against Nonito “Filipino Flash” Donaire on May 31 in Macao, China. The fight will be staged by American promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank.
There have been rumours about Vetyeka?s super bout against this switch-hitter from the Philippines who has the ability to fight either southpaw or orthodox.
Donaire, who is based in California, is a former four-division world champion. He is being honed to take over the reins from his countryman, Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, as Top Rank?s big fish.
Sdinile says he told Levine that he would communicate with Arum.
“I duly did so. Arum said they were not interested in the IBO belt. He said that if Vetyeka wanted to defend the IBO belt against Donaire, he would then have to pay for the sanctioning fees, stipend and accommodation for IBO officials. I was not prepared to do that,” said Sdinile.
“I then communicated with Vetyeka and he agreed with me that we should drop the IBO title. Clearly, Levine wanted to strip us of the title, so the best way for us was to vacate it before being embarrassed.”
Levine?s letter to Sdinile reads: “We are completely aware of the factual situation and understand your position. Unfortunately, there are no options open to us within our world championship rules, which strictly prohibit our champions from engaging in a world title contest without IBO sanction.
“If the promoter of the event is not willing to pay IBO sanction fees and we have no participation in the contest, our hands are tied.”
Vetyeka won the IBO belt from Indonesian Daud Cino Yordan in Jakarta, Indonesia, on April 14 last year. He was guided to a 12th-round stoppage by Nick Durandt.
Vetyeka left Durandt and went home to Duncan Village near East London where he teamed up with Sdinile. The promoter brought on board trainers Vuyani Bungu and Lennox Mpulampula to hone the skills of Vetyeka.
In their first assignment, on December 6 last year, the South African team guided Vetyeka to his biggest victory ? the first for a pugilist from Africa ? for the WBA Super belt from Yordan?s countryman, Chris John, in Australia. John, bidding for a 19th title defence, retired in his corner before the seventh round. He tasted defeat after 48 wins. John, who had three draws, retired after his loss to Vetyeka.
Vetyeka?s fight against Donaire will be his first defence of the WBA Super belt.
