Donaire wishes ‘V12’ well

SIMPIWE “V12” Vetyeka yesterday received a speedy recovery message from an unlikely person while recovering at Frere Hospital from a hit-and-run accident.

Vetyeka is in hospital after suffering broken bones from the hit-and-run accident last Saturday.

After hearing the news of the accident, Vetyeka’s former opponent Nonito Donaire of Philippines took time off the press conference of his WBO interim world featherweight title clash against Carl Frampton in Belfast, Northern Ireland to send him the message.

“Simpiwe we heard about what happened to you and we wish you the best,” Donaire said via a video message.

“Our hearts are with you and we hope that you will recover fully.”

Donaire’s clash against Frampton will headline a tournament also featuring Mdantsane’s Zolani Tete defending his WBO bantamweight crown against Argentine veteran Omar Narvaez at SSE Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland on Saturday.

The message by the Filipino took Vetyeka by surprise as the last time the pair met in the ring, Vetyeka was left seething with their fight outcome.

This when Vetyeka accused Donaire of influencing the referee to stop their WBA featherweight title clash due to the cut he suffered from an accidental headbutt in Macau in 2014.

The fight went to the scorecards and Donaire was declared the winner, taking Vetyeka’s title. The Filipino promised to give him a rematch but never did.

However, Donaire’s message has proven he still holds Vetyeka in high regard. “You have our support and we wish you continue with your boxing career,” the Filipino nicknamed Filipino Flash said.

Meanwhile, Tete met Narvaez for the first time in the press conference which was held a day earlier than initially scheduled. Tete makes the second defence of his crown against the 42-yearold Argentinean.