Reunited with his father who is training him again after a well-publicized estrangement, Donaire gets ready for first fight outside of the US since 2009
Let the countdown begin.
Nonito “The Flash” Donaire has a date with South African boxer Simpiwe Vetyeka in Macau on May 31. On the line is the WBA Super World featherweight title.
Top Rank recently held a press conference at the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel to publicize the match. Donaire (32-2), named “Fighter of the Year” by The Ring magazine in 2012, was at the peak of his profession until defeat at the hands of former Olympic gold medalist Guillermo Rigondeaux last year saw him tumble down the pound for pound rankings.
However, the 31-year-old boxer from Bohol, who moved to the US at the age of 11, still remains a big draw in the Philippines, second only to perennial favourite Manny Pacquiao.
Many fans are expected to make the short trip to Macau to see Donaire in action at the Cotai Arena on May 31 in the main event of a show which has been titled “Featherweight Fury.”
His opponent Vetyeka (26-2) is a South African who claimed the title courtesy of a stoppage win over the previously undefeated Chris John. It will be Donaire’s first fight outside of the US since 2009 and he has been reunited with his father, Nonito Donaire Sr, who is training him again after a well-publicized estrangement.
Also in attendance at the press conference were two Asian fighters who will feature on the card which will be Top Rank’s fourth at the Cotai Arena, located in the bowels of the Venetian Resort & Casino on the gambling mecca of Macau.
Hong Kong’s Rex Tso (12-0) accompanied Donaire to a nearby boxing gym for a public workout after the press conference. He will be defending his WBO Asia Pacific 115 lbs title against Japan’s Atsushi Kakutani (14-4-1).
The other fighter at the press conference was Ng Kuok Kun (3-0) from Macau who will be fighting in a six round bout against an opponent whose name has yet to be announced and he joined Tso and Donaire in hitting the mitts for the benefit of the assembled media.
Top Rank head honcho Bob Arum is taking a break after promoting Manny Pacquiao’s recent win over Timothy Bradley in Las Vegas and was not in Manila for the press conference but he put out the following statement: “All eyes will be on the fabulous Cotai Arena with these three world title fights in one of boxing’s hottest divisions. Featherweight Fury is one of the most exciting events I have promoted in a long time.”
ABS-CBN Sports, which holds the exclusive broadcast rights in the Philippines, will air the entire fight live on Skycable Pay-Per-View. The free TV premiere will also be on May 31 starting at 9:30pm on Channel 2, the network’s flagship station, with replays and additional undercards on ABS-CBN Sports+Action.
Featherweight Fury featuring Nonito Donaire vs Simpiwe Veteyka is on May 31, 5:30pm, at Cotai Arena, Macau; HK$80-HK$3280; www.cotaiticketing.com.
