UNEXPECTED pressure from the hierarchy of the IBO has forced Simphiwe "V12" Vetyeka to vacate the featherweight title, his manager Andile Sdinile has announced.
"IBO president Edward Levine informed me in writing that according to IBO rules, Vetyeka cannot be fighting for another world title without defending the IBO belt," said an unperturbed Sdinile yesterday.
The IBO's stance comes after the confirmation that Vetyeka will defend the WBA Super belt against Nonito "Filipino Flash" Donaire on May 31 in Macao, China. The fight will be staged by American promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank.
Donaire, the switch-hitter from the Philippines who is based in California, is a former four-division world champion.
Sdinile says he told Levine that he would communicate with Arum.
"I duly did so. Bob Arum said they were not interested in the IBO belt. He added that if Vetyeka wanted to defend the IBO belt against Donaire, he would then have to pay for the sanctioning fees, stipend and accommodation for IBO officials. I was not prepared to do that," said Sdinile.
"I then communicated with Vetyeka and he agreed with that we should drop the IBO title. Clearly, Levine wanted to strip us of the title, so the best way for us was to vacate it before being embarrassed."
Levine's letter to Sdinile explained that the IBO's rules "strictly prohibit our champions from engaging in a world title contest without IBO sanction. If the promoter of the event is not willing to pay IBO sanction fees and we have no participation in the contest, our hands are tied".
Vetyeka won the IBO belt from Indonesian Daud Cino Yordan in Indonesia on April 14 last year. His fight against Donaire will be his first defence of the WBA Super belt.
Vetyeka has to give up IBO belt
UNEXPECTED pressure from the hierarchy of the IBO has forced Simphiwe "V12" Vetyeka to vacate the featherweight title, his manager Andile Sdinile has announced.
"IBO president Edward Levine informed me in writing that according to IBO rules, Vetyeka cannot be fighting for another world title without defending the IBO belt," said an unperturbed Sdinile yesterday.
The IBO's stance comes after the confirmation that Vetyeka will defend the WBA Super belt against Nonito "Filipino Flash" Donaire on May 31 in Macao, China. The fight will be staged by American promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank.
Donaire, the switch-hitter from the Philippines who is based in California, is a former four-division world champion.
Sdinile says he told Levine that he would communicate with Arum.
"I duly did so. Bob Arum said they were not interested in the IBO belt. He added that if Vetyeka wanted to defend the IBO belt against Donaire, he would then have to pay for the sanctioning fees, stipend and accommodation for IBO officials. I was not prepared to do that," said Sdinile.
"I then communicated with Vetyeka and he agreed with that we should drop the IBO title. Clearly, Levine wanted to strip us of the title, so the best way for us was to vacate it before being embarrassed."
Levine's letter to Sdinile explained that the IBO's rules "strictly prohibit our champions from engaging in a world title contest without IBO sanction. If the promoter of the event is not willing to pay IBO sanction fees and we have no participation in the contest, our hands are tied".
Vetyeka won the IBO belt from Indonesian Daud Cino Yordan in Indonesia on April 14 last year. His fight against Donaire will be his first defence of the WBA Super belt.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos