MANILA, Philippines – It was not supposed to end the way it did.
Nonito Donaire Jr. wanted to look good in his title fight against WBA featherweight champion Simpiwe Vetyeka on Saturday. Fate though had a different script.
The crowd at the Cotai Arena of the Venetian Resort here saw an exciting but rough contest brought to a screeching halt, as Donaire couldn’t go on after four rounds against Vetyeka due to an ugly gash.
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The cut on Donaire’s left eyebrow, which came from an accidental headbutt in the opening round, worsened as the bout progressed until the Filipino couldn’t take it anymore. And the title bout, in which Donaire had Vetyeka clinging to life after knocking him down in the fourth round, went to the scorecards.
Donaire got the nod of the three judges at the time of the stoppage, 49-46, but it was hardly the result he wanted.
He made it clear: He wants a rematch with Vetyeka.
“He’s (Vetyeka) a great fighter. He deserves a rematch,†Donaire said in an interview on the ring right after he was declared winner via a unanimous technical decision.
The new WBA featherweight champion and now five-division titlist showed up at the post-fight press conference wearing sunglasses and went on to recall what transpired in the ring.
“It was hard to see with the blood and medicine going into my eyes. But there's no 'quit' in my vocabulary,†Donaire explained.
He proceeded to express his desire for a rematch, although still wary of the challenge Vetyeka poses
"Defending (the title) is the most difficult. Vetyeka is gonna come in stronger [in the rematch]," Donaire further said.
A disappointed Vetyeka wants a rematch as well, saying “it's good that the promoter said there's a rematch in November.â€
But it looks like it’s Donaire who’s more willing to do it.
“It (rematch) has to happen,†he ended.