Donaire to prove self vs Vetyeka

MACAU – Nonito Donaire Jr. will have a lot of things to prove when he climbs the ring against reigning WBA featherweight champion Simpiwe Vetyeka tonight at the Cotai Arena here.

Donaire is moving up in weight, seeking to become a four-division champion. In 2012 he was named Fighter of the Year, winning two of his four fights that year by knockout.

Donaire was undefeated for 12 years. Everything looked rosy for the “Filipino Flash.”

But in 2013, he didn’t look like the elite fighter people knew he was. He lost his super-bantamweight titles to Guillermo Rigondeaux in April then faced old foe Vic Darchinyan in a rematch in November.

Donaire trailed Darchinyan in the cards in the early rounds, and left more people guessing. But in the ninth, he landed his best punch, the left hook, and knocked Darchinyan out.

“That year I was at the crossroads. But now I’m back. I’ve chosen to continue fighting,” said the 31-year-old Donaire.

Against Vetyeka, he can prove if he’s still the same exciting boxer that always went for the knockout or if he truly deserves to be called an elite fighter.

Donaire also can prove if he can carry his punch to the 126 lb division.

There’s a lot at stake for Donaire in this fight. He can’t afford to lose this one. And he knows it.

“It’s definitely a must-win fight. I think from this point on every fight is a must win. This is where it starts,” said Donaire up on stage after Friday’s official weigh-in.

The Filipino tipped the electronic scales at exactly 126 lb. Word was that he had to squeeze himself a bit to make weight but Donaire insisted he had his weight on check.

Vetyeka, just a shade taller at 5’7,” weighed in at 125 ? pounds.

“No concerns. I don’t have any worries. I feel great. I’m excited,” said Donaire, back in the arms of his father, Nonito Sr., who now serves as his chief trainer.

Donaire’s former trainer, Robert Garcia, is in town but to man the corner of the Evgeny Gradovich, who stakes his IBF featherweight title against Alexander Miskirtchian.

The other featherweight title clash tonight at the 15,000-seat Cotai Arena involves Nicholas Walters against Darchinyan. It’s a festival of featherweights.

Donaire vowed to put on a show. He said his fight will be the fight of the night.

“I feel great and very excited. It’s been a difficult year for me in 2013. Now we have a very difficult opponent in front of us,” said Donaire.

But he said he feels lighter and more comfortable as a featherweight. Donaire loves to eat, and he said in this division he can eat as good as he wants.

“That’s why I’m happy. I feel light. I feel like I’m 18 years old. I feel stronger. There’s velocity in my punch. Mas malakas ngayon ang suntok ko,” he said.

Vetyeka is twice as confident as Donaire, being the champion. In Thursday’s press conference, his manager made a vow that they will fly back home on Sunday with the title belt in their hands.

“South Africa is preparing a festival for us on Monday,” he said.

“I’m ready. My fans all over the world and in South Africa, there’s no doubt I will bring my title back,” added Vetyeka.

It’s a tough fight -- either way.