Photo by Chris Farina/Top Rank
Nonito Donaire
vs.
Simpiwe Vetyeka
Lou Catalano, Staff Writer
Nonito Donaire has all the talent in the world, but is the desire still there? He had a hideous 2013 in the ring, but I’m looking for him to pull this one out on points. Donaire may not be quite what he was, but he’s better than nearly everybody else out there.
Prediction: Donaire
Dominique Silva, Contributing Writer
Nonito Donaire will capture the featherweight crown with a spectacular knockout. Simpiwe Vetyeka will be no match in power and speed and will be overwhelmed by Nonito.
Prediction: Donaire
Rob Anthony, Contributing Writer
The bloom on The Filipino Flash is gone. After being undressed on the big stage at Radio City Music Hall by Guillermo Rigondeaux, Nonito Donaire’s fast rising star has been dimmed quite a bit. Simpiwe Vetyeka beat an essentially retired long-time champion who at one time seemed unbeatable in Chris John. Fighting in Macao will be like a homecoming for Nonito as it’s a short flight from the Philippines. Donaire needs as much hometown support as possible. With Robert Garcia not in his corner as his trainer and an emboldened opponent, I expect Donaire to be upset by Vetyeka.
Prediction: Vetyeka
Gabe Polanco, Contributing Writer
Nonito Doniare expects to win another title in the Featherweight division by taking on WBA titlist Simpiwe Vetyeka in a return for Top Rank to Macao, China. Most people don’t know Vetyeka even though he is a alphabet titlist. I honestly had to look him up to see exactly who he was. He fights well, has good speed and decent power and his win over the Indonesian legend Chris John is his biggest to date. Sadly, it doesn’t matter how good he is, because at the end of it all, it only matters which Nonito Doniare shows up to fight. Since losing to Guillermo Rigondeaux, Doniare hasn’t been the same. He went life and death with Vic Darchinyan and was utterly out boxed by him until he scored a knockout win late in that fight. Whether his heart and mind are in there or not, he has the tools and skill to defeat the South African fighter. I hope to see the rise of the Filipino Flash and I have him winning a unanimous decision victory.
Prediction: Donaire
Juan Carlos Burgos, Contributing Writer
Simpiwe Vetyeka did what nobody predicted he could in capturing his first world title. He battered, bruised and simply beat up Chris John. In his last bout, Nonito Donaire was able to get back to his winning ways by once again beating Vic Darchinyan although in much less impressive fashion this time around. Donaire is a talented fighter, but in my eyes is a bit of a front runner. When it’s going good he is really good, but he can stink up the joint as well. Donaire should be able to use his quickness and angles to beat Vetyeka and win another belt. Donaire can’t just let Vetyeka stay on the outside and box him or else it’s going to be a dull fight. Nonito must take the fight to Vetyeka and I think he will.
Prediction: Donaire
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Is the Guillermo Rigondeaux beat down still haunting Nonito Donaire? It sure looked like it in the Filipino Flash’s rematch with Vic Darchinyan. I think that this bout verses Simpiwe Vetyeka is great for Donaire because it’s low risk–even though Vetyeka is coming off of a career high victory over Chris John–and high reward–with Vetyeka’s WBA title on the line. I think Donaire will show that he’s still got enough in the tank and gain some confidence back while winning a title. I don’t think Donaire is at the top of the sport, but he’ll always be competitive and has enough talent to beat most.
Prediction: Donaire
