Nonito Donaire wants 4th weight crown
MACAU—I want to become world champion again.
That was the vow Nonito Donaire Jr. made yesterday as he ferried into this glittering gambling capital of Asia for his world featherweight title bout against reigning champion Simpiwe Vetyeka of South Africa.
Donaire (32-2-0 with 21 knockouts) is hoping to scoop a fourth weight division title and at the same time reboot his career that nosedived after losing his super bantamweight belts to Guillermo Rigondeaux of Cuba and salvaging a losing battle by knocking out Vic Darchinyan last year.
His handlers said Donaire already hit 128 pounds, just two pounds off the limit which should be no problem on fight night Saturday at Cotai Arena inside the Venetian.
In trying to make a new start, the 31-year-old Donaire chose to get back to his roots and brought back his long-estranged father, Donaire Sr., as his head trainer.
“It’s fun to train with my father, we’ve done this for such a long time growing up,” said Donaire.
The elder Donaire said they will throw more combinations that his son seemed to have forgotten the past few fights as he got pre-occupied with landing one big punch.
“We should avoid his [Vetyeka] right hand, his left has no power,” said Donaire Sr., who took the reins from famed mentor Robert Garcia. “Vetyeka loves to run and throw punches so Jun should follow him with head movements.”
Vetyeka (26-2-0 with 16 KOs) also arrived here but kept his cards close to his chest.
“It’s going to be tough. With Nonito it’s always tough. But I am ready to defend my title and be recognized as the best in the world,” Vetyeka told Ring Magazine.
They will formally start fight week today with the “formal arrivals” at the famed hotel and casino.
Vetyeka, whose V12 nickname references a powerful engine, became relevant after dealing Chris John the first defeat of his career last year. John, the Indonesian legend, refused to get up from the stool for the seventh round, handing Vetyeka the WBA featherweight belt.
