Vetyeka to defend title

UPSET-causing Duncan Village boxer Simpiwe Vetyeka will be back in the ring on February 22 when he defends his newly won WBA featherweight crown against Japan’s Akifumi Shimoda at the Cotai Arena, Venetian Resort in Macao, China.

The news was confirmed by Vetyeka’s manager Andile Sidinile even though the contract for the fight is yet to be signed.

Vetyeka was initially ordered by the WBA to face the association’s regular champion Nicholas Walters of Jamaica.

But top American promoter Bob Arum, who also handles Walters, decided to withdraw the little-known Jamaican from the fight, leaving Vetyeka having to make his mandatory title defence against the Japanese fighter in an Arum-promoted show in Macao.

The fight was made easier by Chris John’s retirement, nullifying the rematch contract Vetyeka had with the Indonesian legend he had dethroned for the WBA super crown in Perth, Australia, early this month.

However, it has emerged that not only was Vetyeka forced to sign a rematch clause against John but he also ceded a two fight option to the Indonesian’s promoter Dragonfire Promotion in the event of his win.

Now he will have to honour his title defence against Shimoda under Dragonfire Promotions.

Sidinile confirmed Vetyeka signed a two fight option with Dragonfire and the fight against the Japanese pugilist will be the first.

“I do not want to go back to what happened with Vetyeka’s previous management for tying him to this contract but we will have to find a way of resolving this,” Sidinile said.

The WBA has given Vetyeka and Shimoda until January 9 to reach an agreement about the fight, failing which purse bids will be called.

But indications are the deal will be signed, sealed and delivered for the fight to go ahead as planned on February 22.

“We are still waiting for Top Rank to make us an offer after which we will sign the contract,” Sidinile said, adding Vetyeka was already busy preparing for the fight.

While the Vetyeka camp was apprehensive of accepting the fight against Walters owing to the unknown status of the Jamaican which would translate into a meagre purse, the opportunity to face Shimoda has been warmly welcomed as the Japanese boxer is the former WBA champion in the junior featherweight division.

Furthermore the fight will be screened live on giant American television network HBO giving Vetyeka worldwide exposure.

“A win by Vetyeka live on HBO will open doors for more lucrative fights, hence we have no problem facing Shimoda,” Sidinile added.

Shimoda had a disastrous introduction to the American boxing audience when he was knocked out in seven rounds by Rico Ramos to surrender his WBA junior featherweight title in July 2011.

But he has since rebounded to rack up six wins to move into the mandatory status in the featherweight division.

His defeat by Ramos was his third in 33 fights with two draws while the 33-year-old Vetyeka has lost twice in 28 bouts scoring 16 stoppages compared to Shimoda’s 12.