Confusion is reigning in the technical team of former world champion Simpiwe Vetyeka after the boxer left to prepare for his upcoming fight in the UK by himself.
Vetyeka is scheduled to make a ring return on February 18 in Morocco against an opponent yet to be announced.
The bout will mark his debut under Irish trainer Gary Hyde who signed him into a multi- fight deal shortly after the Mdantsane boxer severed ties with long time promoter Sijuta Promotions (SP).
The 36-year-old has been inactive since beating Japanese foe Tsuyoshi Tameda in a SP show in April last year.
He will now end his 10 months of inactivity as he is scheduled to fight in Morocco in Hyde-organised show.
Hyde has just signed Moroccan amateur star Mohammed Rabbi, who won the world amateur championships and several other awards at the unpaid ranks.
Rabbi will be making his professional debut in his native country, which is not really known for boxing, when he takes on Tanzanian Salehe Mkalekwa in a welterweight clash in the main bout.
But back home Vetyeka’s long time trainer Boy Boy Mpulampula is in a state of confusion about the role he will play in the fight.
This after Vetyeka left to train in UK a fortnight ago with no word on whether Mpulampula would join him later.
Mpulampula confirmed that he was in the dark on whether he would be part of Vetyeka’s technical team.
“I will see when they send me a ticket if I will be part of his technical team but so far no word has been said about me joining Vetyeka in the UK,” he said.
Mpulampula, who was in Vetyeka’s corner when the boxer shocked the world with a sixth round stoppage defeat of Indonesian legend Chris John to lift the WBA featherweight crown in 2013, does not even know who is training Vetyeka in the UK.
“To be honest with you I have no idea about who is helping Vetyeka in the UK,” he said.
Since Vetyeka penned a pact with Hyde, Mpulampula has been sidelined as the Irish manager never spoke with him.
The veteran trainer says Hyde has been directly communicating with Vetyeka, leaving him doubtful if he still does have a role to play.
Hyde had not replied to questions sent to him by the Daily Dispatch at the time of going to print.
However, in an earlier interview he expressed confidence of taking Vetyeka back to a world title shot after the misfortune of surrendering his WBA title to Filipino Nonito Donaire in controversial circumstances in Macau, China in 2014.
Vetyeka remains one of the best boxers in the country although age is gradually catching up with him.
Mpulampula admitted that he did not know who Vetyeka will fight in Morocco nor the division in which the fight will be contested.
Vetyeka is at the tail-end of his career that netted him three world titles.
He has already hinted retirement after getting one last bite at a world title.
Top fighter’s camp mired in confusion
Vetyeka is scheduled to make a ring return on February 18 in Morocco against an opponent yet to be announced.
The bout will mark his debut under Irish trainer Gary Hyde who signed him into a multi- fight deal shortly after the Mdantsane boxer severed ties with long time promoter Sijuta Promotions (SP).
The 36-year-old has been inactive since beating Japanese foe Tsuyoshi Tameda in a SP show in April last year.
He will now end his 10 months of inactivity as he is scheduled to fight in Morocco in Hyde-organised show.
Hyde has just signed Moroccan amateur star Mohammed Rabbi, who won the world amateur championships and several other awards at the unpaid ranks.
Rabbi will be making his professional debut in his native country, which is not really known for boxing, when he takes on Tanzanian Salehe Mkalekwa in a welterweight clash in the main bout.
But back home Vetyeka’s long time trainer Boy Boy Mpulampula is in a state of confusion about the role he will play in the fight.
This after Vetyeka left to train in UK a fortnight ago with no word on whether Mpulampula would join him later.
Mpulampula confirmed that he was in the dark on whether he would be part of Vetyeka’s technical team.
“I will see when they send me a ticket if I will be part of his technical team but so far no word has been said about me joining Vetyeka in the UK,” he said.
Mpulampula, who was in Vetyeka’s corner when the boxer shocked the world with a sixth round stoppage defeat of Indonesian legend Chris John to lift the WBA featherweight crown in 2013, does not even know who is training Vetyeka in the UK.
“To be honest with you I have no idea about who is helping Vetyeka in the UK,” he said.
Since Vetyeka penned a pact with Hyde, Mpulampula has been sidelined as the Irish manager never spoke with him.
The veteran trainer says Hyde has been directly communicating with Vetyeka, leaving him doubtful if he still does have a role to play.
Hyde had not replied to questions sent to him by the Daily Dispatch at the time of going to print.
However, in an earlier interview he expressed confidence of taking Vetyeka back to a world title shot after the misfortune of surrendering his WBA title to Filipino Nonito Donaire in controversial circumstances in Macau, China in 2014.
Vetyeka remains one of the best boxers in the country although age is gradually catching up with him.
Mpulampula admitted that he did not know who Vetyeka will fight in Morocco nor the division in which the fight will be contested.
Vetyeka is at the tail-end of his career that netted him three world titles.
He has already hinted retirement after getting one last bite at a world title.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos