(INQUIRER PHOTO)
MACAU—So did Nonito Donaire Jr. reaffirm his elite status?
The reaction was mixed. In fact, even Nonito Donaire Jr. himself wasn’t convinced he made a good show after capturing the WBA undisputed featherweight title from fallen champ Simpiwe Vetyeka.
“I wanted to give my fans a great fight, I was halfway there,” said Donaire who earned his fourth weight division title after a bloody wound in his eyelids forced the referee to halt the fight.
He won via a fifth-round unanimous technical decision.
Donaire was a lot faster and more generous with his combinations, jarring Vetyeka in the third and sending him to the canvas in fourth.
And though blood and medicines blocked his vision, he remained sharp enough to pile up points on the South African.
Rematch planned
“I was my biggest critic but it has become too much of a disadvantage,” said Donaire, who sought for fight stoppage after the fourth round and before the bell rang for the fifth.
“Sometimes things like this happen in boxing,” said Top Rank boss Bob Arum. “It’s unfortunate to end the fight like this and although he took the title he wasn’t happy and offered a rematch.”
Arum earlier stated that if Donaire made it against Vetyeka, he would likely face unbeaten Russian Evgeny Gradovich or Nicholas Walters.
But the Hall of Fame promoter appeared to yield to Donaire’s wishes.
“We are going to see that (rematch) as soon as possible but Nonito has to heal … We have the opportunity to see that fight again and hopefully it goes to a more satisfying conclusion,” Arum said.
He later said a rematch could happen in November, which might open possibility of Donaire fighting in Manny Pacquiao’s undercard.
Donaire said he was forced to ask for a stoppage because he could no longer see Vetyeka’s right hand