MACAU – Nonito Donaire won by technical decision against Simpiwe Vetyeka and captured his fifth world title belt.
The Filipinos made themselves heard when they cheered for Donaire and booed Vetyeka during the pre-fight introductions. But the South African proved to be a tough customer.
They exchanged right hands in the opening round but it was Donaire who landed the final right at the end of the round.
Donaire was bleeding on the left eyebrow from a clash of heads in the first round which bothered him in the second. In the third, he backed Vetyeka with a left hook and a right straight.
Vetyeka was unfazed and fired his jab and right straights.
In the 4th, Vetyeka’s uppercut sent Donaire on the back foot. Vetyeka got bolder as he had Donaire on the ropes but The Filipino Flash sent Vetyeka down with a right swiftly followed by a left hook.
Donaire had Vetyeka reeling as he tried to go for a homerun punch. The bleeding continued and the cut was checked by the ring side doctor.
The 4th round ended and the bleeding was rechecked and the fight was stopped going into the fifth. Per WBA rules the fight went to the scorecards. The three judges – Levi Martinez, Raul Caiz,Jr and Francisco Martinez – had it 49-46 giving the WBA Featherweight super world title to Donaire.
Donaire himself wanted a more convincing win and offered to face Vetyeka again.
Referee Luis Pabon stops the fight at the beginning of the 5th round.
Donaire connects at Vetyeka.
Donaire downs Vetyeka in the 4th round.
Donaire captures the WBA super featherweight title via technical decision.
