SIMPIWE “V12” Vetyeka flies to Hong Kong on Tuesday, where he will finalise preparations for the fight of his life against Nonito “Filipino Flash” Donaire in Macau on May 31.
Vetyeka, his trainers Vuyani Bungu and Boyboy Mpulampula, camp co-ordinator Zukisa Dlulisa and manager Andile Sdinile will spend a week in Hong Kong before proceeding to Macau in the week of the fight.
This fight will top a bill dubbed “Featherweight Fury” by US promoter Bob Arum.
The World Boxing Association (WBA) regular featherweight holder from Jamaica, Nicholas Walters, defends against Armenian Vic Darchinyan, while Evgeny Gradovich from Russia defends his International Boxing Federation featherweight crown against Japanese Yasutaka Ishimoto.
The tournament will be televised live by HBO.
Vetyeka, 33, from Duncan Village near Mdantsane, will put his WBA Super featherweight belt on the line against the 31-year-old Filipino. The beauty is that Vetyeka has no weight problems.
“I am 2kg (within) the limit of 57.15kg,” said Vetyeka who has predicted a knockout win. “Donaire has a dangerous left hook, but we have a plan. One thing I am prepared to say is that I will come back home with the WBA Super belt.”
He won it from Indonesian idol Chris John in Australia in December. John was bidding for the 19th defence and had been undefeated after 51 outings.
Vetyeka, a supposedly soft opponent, dropped John in rounds five and six. John did not come out for round seven and he hung up his gloves after that defeat. Vetyeka bettered his knockout ratio to 16 in 26 victories, against two defeats.
Donaire, who boasts wins against Moruti Mthalane and Jeffrey Mathebula, lost the WBA Super and World Boxing Organisation (WBO) junior featherweight belts to Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux on April 13 last year.
Donaire had clubbed his way to a top-five spot on many pound-for-pound lists.
But Donaire has since stopped Darchinyan in the ninth round, on November 9. That was Donaire?s 21st short-route win in 32 victories against two losses.
Warned Sdinile: “Vetyeka wants to be the best featherweight fighter from Africa. He made an impression by winning the IBO belt and showed his ability by beating John for the WBA Super belt. He is now out to stamp his authority. The purse money is good and we are happy.”
Vetyeka is the former IBO holder, while Donaire is the three-division world champion.
