What separates two of hottest warriors

Simphiwe Vetyeka engages in a high stakes bout against Thompson Mokwana at the Orient Theatre tonight.

The bout will mark the first time Vetyeka fights in the lightweight division, after making his mark in the bantamweight and featherweight divisions.

There are several intriguing scenarios in this bout, and they can determine the outcome which will be detrimental to the Mdantsane boxer if it goes against him.

We analyse the bout and highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the two boxers.

1. POWER

Mokwana will likely have an edge here as his boxing is based on brute strength. They say power invokes respect and, if Mokwana lands clean and Vetyeka feels the venom, we can expect him to adopt a safety-first approach which could come back to haunt him down the stretch.

2. SPEED

Vetyeka can box and, as such, he is able to use his feet to stay out of trouble. The question is whether, at 37 years of age, he is as fleetfooted as he once was. But, despite his age, he will likely be the quicker of the two, and that will be handy to thwart any of Mokwana’s offensive moves.

3. JAB

This department will be a toss up, and it will depend on how he utilises it. Vetyeka’s stick was missing in his last bout against Lerato Dlamini, and that gave the younger boxer an opportunity to bum-rush him.

Mokwana is not lacking in the jab department but, having slowed down considerably, he may just rely on a home-run to end the fight and avoid it going to the judges. If he does that he will make things easy for the skilful Vetyeka, who can pick him apart while trying to load his haymaker.

4. EXPERIENCE

Both boxers have loads of experience, but Vetyeka has an edge, having shared the ring with the best boxers in the world. Bouts against the likes of Nonito Donaire, Chris John, Hozumi Hasegawa trump on anything Mokwana has ever been involved in.

5. DIVISION

This is where Mokwana will be comfortable, as he has campaigned in the lightweight division throughout his career, while Vetyeka will be fighting in it for the first time.

Expect Mokwana to come in as a welterweight on fight night, while any additional weight for Vetyeka could only make him lethargic. It will also be interesting to see if Vetyeka will carry his featherweight power up north, while his punch resistance will also be keenly watched.

6. FAMILIAR

Both boxers are familiar with each other, having shared a training camp when Vetyeka prepared for the Dlamini bout at Sean Smith gymnasium, which Mokwana calls his home.

7. CORNER

This could be telling, as Vetyeka will fight under Ncedo Cecane for the first time, while Mokwana’s trainer, Smith, knows Vetyeka’s strength and weaknesses, having trained him for the Dlamini fight. But when boxers reach Vetyeka’s level they do not rely too much on a corner.

Vetyeka is one of the boxers who needs a strong trainer in his corner. Otherwise he tends to fight the bout on his own terms. Cecane may end up only serving as a bucket man, rather than someone who will offer advice.