Donaire wins WBA Featherweight crown

NONITO Donaire Jr. and Simpiwe Vetyeka pose for photographers. MARC ANTHONY REYES

MANILA, Philippines — Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire regained his championship status after beating erstwhile South African champion Simpiwe Vetyeka via unanimous technical decision Saturday night at the Venetian Hotel and Casino in Macau.

The fight was stopped after four rounds due to Donaire’s huge gash sustained in the opening round that was ruled as coming from an accidental headbutt by Vetyeka –prompting the referee to waive off the bout entering the fifth round and instead go to the scorecards.

Donaire (33-2, 21 KOs), who got the three judges’ nods with an identical 49-46 tally, is now the WBA featherweight champion after losing his WBO super bantamweight belt to Guillermo Rigondeaux in April of last year.

The blood streaming down the left portion of Donnaire’s face affected the Filipino boxer’s vision but it failed to slow him down as he knocked Vetyeka down with a counter in the fourth round.

Vetyeka was able to beat the count and survive the remainder of the fourth round.

Despite being bloodied, Donaire showed he was a class act when he apologized to the fans for how the fight ended.

“I’m sorry I didn’t give you a good fight,” The 31-year-old Donaire said.

RELATED STORIES

Donaire battles Vetyeka