Now Hyde and seek for Vetyeka
Casablanca comeback win will spark a revival
SIMPIWE Vetyeka makes a low-key ring return in an environment not wellknown for boxing tomorrow. The fightstarved 36-year-old will face unbeaten Hungarian knockout specialist David Berna at Complexe Sportif Mohammed V, Casablanca in Morocco.
This will be Vetyeka’s first fight since his harder than expected points win over tough, but limited Japanese youngster, Tyuyoshi Tameda, at Orient Theatre in East London in April.
Vetyeka later enlisted the services of Irish manager Gary Hyde who is organising the fight under the banner of Nowhere2 Hyde Promotions.
Hyde will use the event to launch the promotional career of Moroccan amateur star, Mohammed Rabii, who will face another Hungarian foe Adam “Bad Boy” Mate.
Rabii, who reportedly draws millions of viewers on television every time he fights, won a gold medal at the world amateur championships and a bronze at the Rio Olympics last year.
He will now test the waters in the paid ranks against the Hungarian opponent who has lost 10 times and won 24 of his 34 bouts.
Also in action will be DRC-born native Frenchman Youri “El Toro” Kalenga who will face American Garrett “The Ultimate Warrior” Wilson in a cruiserweight clash.
Wilson will be remembered as the boxer who was soundly outboxed by KwaZulu-Natal-born Thabiso Mchunu in the United States last year.
Vetyeka, Rabii and Kalenga are all managed by Hyde.
Dutch light-middleweight Gevorg Khatchikian will come up against Ugandan Med “Kabona” Sebyala.
But the interest of the local boxing fans will be on Vetyeka who at 36 years is gradually slipping towards the exit door in terms of his career.
While Berna will bring a scary record of eight knockouts in as many bouts he has never faced a world-class opponent.
But at 26 years old he will have youth on his side and his power will be an added concern to Vetyeka’s supporters.
Vetyeka is a world-class fighter, even though he has shown signs of slipping back despite his high ratings on the world stage.
Rated fourth and seventh by the WBA and WBC respectively, Vetyeka is chasing a bite at the world, targeting the world bodies’ champions – either Leo Santa Cruz or Garry Russell Jnr respectively.
Hyde was quoted confirming to have started negotiations with the handlers of Cruz and Russell already.
“We have also spoken to the manager of Oscar Valdez (WBO featherweight champion),” he reportedly said.
This means Vetyeka will be required to win at all costs and look impressive in doing so, to boost his world title aspirations.
He held the WBA crown when he unseated Indonesian legend Chris John but surrendered it in his first defence to Filipino Nonito Donaire
Now with just three losses and 29 wins, Vetyeka is at the tailend of his career and has already confirmed imminent retirement.
But he needs one last bite at the world title before calling it a day.
He will enter the fight with a new technical team as his trainer BoyBoy Mpulampula did not travel with him to UK, where the boxer prepared for the fight together with other Hyde clients.— Boxing Mecca Correspondent