Johannesbrurg – Nick Durandt cried “foul”. But the voluble boxing trainer and manager confirmed on Tuesday that Simpiwe Vetyeka, South Africa's only dual world boxing champion following his recent stunning tko win against long-time, previously unbeaten WBA featherweight champion, Chris John, had severed ties with him shortly before the fight.
This was the outcome of a tug-of-war for the services of the WBA and IBO champion that has resulted in Vetyeka now being managed by East London-based Andile Sidinile and trained by former champion Vuyuni Bungu.
“I was in Australia at the time Vetyeka beat John 10 days ago,” said Durandt, “looking after Sipho Taliwe for the IBO lightweight title fight in which he was controversially beaten on a split points decision by Indonesian Daud Yordan on the same bill.
“I can't say I'm over the moon about Simpiwe jumping ship after what I had done for him. He was still training in my gym at a time when he was negotiating with Sidinile.
“But if he believes he is going to get a better deal with his new handlers, good luck to him. Time will tell if he has made the right move.
“All I know is that he has been a jack-in-the-box in the past jumping from one manager and trainer to another and often ending with pie on his face as a consequence.”
Sidinile said he was surprised that Durandt had given the impression he was still training Vetyeka for the John fight.
“He was out of the picture by then,” added Vetyeka's now manager.
“Vuyuni (Bungu) trained him for the fight and did a mighty good job, as well as being in his corner for the fight itself.”
Sidinile admitted that the contract for the Vetyeka-John fight had been signed by Durandt when he was still handling the South African.
“But,” he added, “it was not a contract in which the best interests of Vetyeka had been attended. I negotiated with the promoters to make some concessions on this score and ultimately Simpiwe came away with a better deal.”
The boxing world now appears an inviting oyster for Vetyeka after his stunning emphatic win against John.
While there is a return clause in the Perth fight's contract, many have wondered whether John will take up the opportunity of meeting Vetyeka again after the comprehensive beating he received.
Vetyeka summarily stopped John, who had been unbeaten in a career extending over 12 years and 51 fights, with the WBA champion failing to come out of his corner for the seventh round.
Vetyeka regained his IBO title four months ago with a stunning, 12th-round tko win over highly-regarded defending champion Daud Yordan, with his victory over John completing a double over Indonesian world champions. – Sapa