Boxing In South Africa: Regal Treatment For Vetyeka In Japan

ByBoxing Press

Undefeated South African bantamweight champion and WBC #5 Simpiwe Vetyeka needed very little time to settle in to his base in Tokyo, Japan, ahead of his up-coming challenge for Hozumi Hasegawa’s WBC world title.

Much of that has to do with the fact that Vetyeka’s promoter, Branco Milenkovic of Branco Sports Productions (BSP), facilitated the early departure of his charge and trainer Nic Durandt.

Instead of leaving for Japan just a few days ahead of the May 3rd fight at the renowned Ariake Coliseum, Milenkovic ensured that the Vetyeka entourage settled into their base comfortably 10 days ahead of time.

It is a well-known fact that a flight between South Africa and Japan involves a round trip via Hong Kong, Singapore or Malaysia and there is always a danger of jet lag and fatigue setting in.

The Vetyeka camp have settled down nicely at the five-star Golden Palace Hotel, with one of the most sophisticated and well-equipped boxing gymnasiums located just five minutes away.

Promotional partners Milenkovic and Baby Jake Matlala are delighted that their hard work has paid dividends, with Vetyeka set to become the very first black African boxer to challenge for a WBC world title in the country known as “The Land of the Rising Sun”.

Vetyeka will head up a World Championship “Triple Header” in Tokyo, which also features WBA junior lightweight and WBA junior bantamweight world title fights.

“The mere fact that our man (Vetyeka) is topping the bill on such a high-powered triple header and that he will gain television exposure throughout Asia, speaks volumes for the size of this accomplishment,” said Milenkovic.

Meanwhile, the WBC bosses have appointed an entirely neutral panel of ring officials for the Vetyeka fight. Duane Ford and David Sutherland from the USA and Victor Cervantes from Mexico will be charged with scoring the bout, while another Mexican, Lupe Garcia, will be the third man in the ring.

It has also been reliably learned that South African fans may still be able to watch the Vetyeka fight. There are understood to be ongoing negotiations by local broadcasters to secure the rites to screen the fight in this country.