Home Boxing News Simphiwe Vetyeka to face Tsuyoshi Tameda

Simphiwe Vetyeka to face Tsuyoshi Tameda

Over the past few weeks we’ve seen a number of announcements, and not all of them have been goo ones. One that has probably gone under the radar for most fight fans is one that involved former WBA Featherweight champion Simpiwe Vetyeka (28-3, 17).

The 35 year old South African, who first made a mark on the world scene by pushing Hozumi Hasegawa close in 2007, had his next bout announced for April 22nd against Japan’s Tsuyoshi Tameda (13-1-2, 11) but the story really did go under-the radar, as have many of Vetyeka’s recent bouts.

In 2013 the South African twice scored upset stoppage wins. The first saw him defeat the popular Daud Cino Yordan, who was completely out boxed before being stopped in the final minute, whilst the second saw him end Chris John’s long reign as a world champion, and ending John’s career.

Although known by hardcore fans for the bouts with Hasegawa, Yordan and John it’s fair to say that Vetyeka had his highest profile bout in 2014, when he was controversially beaten by Nonito Donaire, who claimed a very dubious 5th round technical decision.

Since the loss to Donaire, in May 2014, South African fans have twice seen “V12” in action. The first of those bouts saw him over-come Arturo Santos Reyes, himself a former Hasegawa opponent, and Sergio Puente.

In regards to Tameda he’s much less well known, though is a hungry fighter who likely sees this as his chance to score a career changing victory. Like many Japanese youngsters he’s not been afraid to test himself, and like many he has had career setbacks. Those setbacks however haven’t been particularly bad ones, with the first, back in 2011, being a draw with Masayuki Ito, the current OPBF Super Featherweight champion, and the second being a razor thin loss to Joji Senba, who would only fight twice more.

The most setback for Tameda came less than 2 years ago as he and Jimmy Paypa, a man who subsequently challenged for an OPBF title, clashed heads and saw their bout stopped as a technical draw.

Since the Paypa bout Tameda has gone 4-0 (4) with a very impressive win over the previously unbeaten Mark Bernaldez being the stand out victory.

Vetyeka, at his best, would be strongly favoured over Tameda who is stylistically made to order for the busy and skilful South African. However at 35 years old and with just 4 rounds under his belt in the last 16 months Vetyeka’s time may be done. Tameda is young, aggressive, fearless and powerful and his team will be banking on getting Vetyeka at just the right time here.

(Scott Graveson covers the Asian boxing scene for www.asianboxing.info)

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