By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire has praised his opponent, WBA featherweight champion Simpiwe Vetyeka of South Africa, who the Filipino star is expected to face in a title fight in Macau sometime in May.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum is scheduled to meet with top executives of the Venetian Resort Hotel & Casino in Macau on Wednesday to finalize a possible May 10 date.
Donaire told BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard that Vetyeka “is a really good fighter. I think he’s the toughest of all the guys in that division. He’s slick he’s got power, pretty good.”
Donaire told us that he’s started light training but would begin “serious training” at the newly opened gym of his father and trainer Nonito Donaire Sr. in Oakland, California in March with “a lot of sparring.”
He said that “if the fight is held in Macau there is a slight possibility I will train in the Philippines.”
Donaire and wife Rachel were excited preparing for the baptism of their son Jarel this week in Las Vegas.
Vetyeka is coming off a stunning 7th round stoppage of long-reigning Indonesian world champion Chris John in Metro City, Western Australia last November after which John announced his retirement.
Vetyeka was supposed to face John in a rematch under their contract but after the defeat, John decided to retire paving the way for Vetyeka to defend his title against another challenger.
Donaire who is coming off a 9th round TKO win in a rematch with hard-hitting Aussie Vic Darchinyan in a featherweight fight he was losing on the scorecards of all three judges has been aching to move up in weight and win a fifth world title.