Donaire Looking Really Good in Sparring For Vetyeka
Apr 30, 2014 • 12:39 PM ET
by Ronnie Nathanielsz
2012 “Fighter of the Year” Nonito “The Filipino Flash” is looking good as he steps up training at the famed ALA Gym in Cebu in preparation for his title fight against WBA/IBO champion Simpiwe Vetyeka at the Venetian Resort Hotel and Casino in Macao on May 31.
Nonito’s father/trainer Nonito “Dodong” Donaire Sr. told BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard that the four division world champion sparred three rounds on Tuesday with undefeated Cuban Remy Aleye and “looked really good.”
However, Donaire apparently sprained a muscle on his hip which felt sore, cutting short his sparring because his father/trainer said “we didn’t force it because I didn’t want to make it worse.”
He said Donaire worked out on Wednesday, doing his strength and conditioning regimen under Nick Curson and also simulated some high altitude training using a machine.
“Dodong” Donaire Sr said his son “is already in shape and his body is being trimmed down.” He said Nonito currently weighs 135 pounds which is just 9 pounds over the featherweight limit of 126.
He said “we have to bring it down but we have a lot of time.”
The father/trainer said he was “imitating Vetyeka’s movements” in training since the South African champion “can move, run and punch” and Nonito needs to throw more accurate combinations.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum warned Pacquiao that “Vetyeka is no pushover.”
Although Vetyeka’s promoter Andile Sidinile regards Dionaire as one of the best fighters in the world he expressed confidence Veyteka will retain his title on fight night in Macau.
He was quoted by reporter Mawande Myumyu of the City Press newspaper in South Africa in which he said “we are ready for Nonito Donaire and as team Vetyeka we are under no illusion that this is going to be a very difficult fight. But we believe that to be the best, you have to beat the best.”
In building up to the defense of his WBA/IBO 126 pound belts the 33 year old Vetyeka will be guided by what has been described as “a former dominant force in the super bantamweight worldwide throughout the ‘90’s – Vuyani “The Beast” Bungu and the highly regarded Lennox Mpulampula.”
Team Vetyeka has reportedly scheduled 200 rounds of sparring and is looking for sparring partners from around the world.
