By Monwabisi Jimlongo
East London-based boxing trainer Simphiwe ‘V12’ Vetyeka might land in the dog box after he ‘sneaked’ out of the country to go fight against Tanzanian boxer Abeid Zugo whose full name is Abeid Kessy Kasongo in Tanzania two weeks ago.
The former world champion, who is a Boxing South Africa-licensed trainer, went to fight in Tanzania without informing BSA. Vetyeka was accompanied by BSA-licensed trainer Phila Mzamo, who was in his corner during the fight.
Upon landing in Tanzania, the former South African bantamweight champion, got licensed in order for him to be able to fight in the East African country. Vetyeka’s fight against Zugo was promoted by Sadah Kasonso’s Kemmon Sports Agency.
Interestingly, Kasonso only started promoting in February this year and she does matchmaking as well.
“Boxing South Africa has an inherent responsibility to restore order and stability within the sector. There is a firewall between different licence categories and it must be kept as such,” acting BSA chief executive officer Mandla Ntlanganiso said.
Ntlanganiso added that his organisation is going to engage other boxing bodies in an effort to make sure that all matters get clarified.
“All licensees will be engaged and rules of engagement will be clearly defined and there should be no ambiguity. The Boxing SA regulatory framework must be adhered to at all costs, by all parties issued with a BSA licence,” Ntlanganiso remarked.
“Our view is that every licensee who participates outside the country should get a clearance from Boxing SA regardless of the capacity even though the regulatory framework mainly speaks to boxers. Furthemore, we will be engaged in a series of meetings with other African and international countries and sanctioning bodies to streamline the modus operandi going forward. The Vetyeka matter will form part of the first issues to be dealt with when we reopen.”
Vetyeka, a former World Boxing Association (WBA) and International Boxing Organisation (IBO) featherweight champion, is licensed as chief trainer at Paradise Boxing Club in Nxarhuni.
“I’m licensed as a boxer in Tanzania and I’m licensed as a trainer here in South Africa. You will remember that I once applied for a licence as a boxer, I was never licensed. I applied for a trainer’s licence and they approved my licence. I’m going back to fight in Tanzania again in January,” Vetyeka said.
Before the Zugo fight, the 43-year-old Vetyeka hadn’t fought since his eighth round knockout victory over former SA lightweight champion Thompson Mokwana in April 2018.
