MACAU—After flatly denying reports that he’s having financial trouble and that he was addicted to Coca Cola, Simpiwe Vetyeka admitted Wednesday that all he wants now is to beat Nonito Donaire Jr.
Vetyeka, working out at a gym in a deep basement corner of the Venetian, said he will beat Donaire by knockout “if he’s not ready,” and is ready to go the full route against the Filipino.
“I don’t think anyone can get enough of money,” said the 32-year-old Vetyeka, who Internet reports said had a falling out with past two managers over debts.
Largely unknown and seemingly an odd pick to face a world caliber fighter like Donaire, Vetyeka was dogged with wild reports even as he was hailed as the best boxer to come from South Africa.
“So money is there. I need it,” added Vetyeka, who will get the biggest fight of his career defending his WBA featherweight title this Saturday at Cotai Arena.
“He is imposing, he’s bigger than me but I’m the champion now and I will have to defend my title successfully,” Vetyeka said. “He’s got a powerful left hook and I’m sure he will want to use it. But I have my right also.”
Meanwhile, Donaire said he felt like he was the underdog when he enters the ring this Saturday.
The former world champion in three weight divisions said he’s wary of his “multi-dimensional and dangerous” opponent who’s got “lots of weapons.”
Just the same, Donaire promised to show “his finest hour” on Saturday.
He came from a training camp that wasn’t as rigorous as the previous ones and embraced the theme “back to basics” with his father as the head trainer. He said this time he won’t look for a knockout punch.
“If he can’t see it coming, he won’t be able to prepare for it,” Donaire told sportswriters ahead of the grand arrivals Wednesday.
“It’s been a long time since I entered a fight as an underdog but that has inspired me more,” said the 31-year-old Donaire who boxing fans fear may have lost his fire.