Controversy as Vetyeka loses title

SIMPIWE “V12” Vetyeka, the dethroned WBA super-featherweight champion, and his camp are livid over the manner in which his title defence against Nonito Donaire ended in Macau, China, yesterday.

Donaire, the former multidivision world champion from the Philippines, won the fight with a fourth-round technical decision. The fight was stopped by referee Luis Pabon of Puerto Rico, who consulted the fight supervisor after seeing that Donaire’s cut from a clash of heads was getting uglier.

They went to scorecards and all three judges — Americans Raul Caiz, Francisco Martinez and Levi Martinez — scored it 49-46 in favour of Donaire.

“The referee did not make a call regarding the cut to say it was caused by a head-butt or a punch. Yes, it was an ugly cut. After every round the referee would call the doctor to inspect it. Vetyeka jabbed it very hard and it opened wider as the fight progressed,” said manager Andile Sdinile. “They checked it again after round four and the referee then went over to the fight supervisor and advised that the fight be stopped.

“Vetyeka got caught by a punch in round four but got up and fought back strongly. He actually got caught as he was trying to finish off Donaire because he was dominating the fight.

“Anyway, they announced the score as 49-46. They said we were behind because of the knock-down. What amazes us is that round five was scored when it did not even begin. How did they reach the scores of 49-46 when only four rounds were fought and completed?”

Sdinile said the new champion made a commitment in the press conference that he would give Vetyeka a rematch. “Promoter Bob Arum said the fight will take place here in Macau in November.”