Simpiwe Vetyeka


Simpiwe Vetyeka is a South African professional boxer. He is a former WBA and IBO featherweight champion, as well as a former IBO super bantamweight champion.
Vetyeka's career came to an end after he broke both his legs in a car accident in 2018.

Professional career

Vetyeka vs. John

Vetyeka won the WBA Super World featherweight title by defeating Chris John on 6 December 2013, when John retired on his stool after the sixth of twelve rounds. Vetyeka's IBO featherweight title was also on the line. It was John's first professional loss and brought his ten-year WBA title reign to an end, sending him into retirement.

Vetyeka vs. Donaire

Vetyeka fought Filipino Nonito Donaire for the WBA featherweight title on 31 May 2014 at The Venetian Macao Hotel & Resort's Cotai Arena in Macau of the Special administrative regions in China. Vetyeka was dropped by Donaire in the fourth round after landing his signature left hook. The fight was stopped seconds after the bell for the fifth round rang due to a cut on Donaire's left eye from an accidental headbutt. Vetyeka lost the bout via unanimous technical decision.

Vetyeka vs. Reyes

On 12 December 2014, Vetyeka faced Arturo Santos Reyes. Vetyeka won the fight via unanimous decision, with the judges scoring it 120-108, 119-111 and 118-112 in favor of Vetyeka.

Vetyeka vs. Puente

In 28 November 2015, Vetyeka fought and defeated Rodolfo Puente via a fourth round KO.

Vetyeka vs. Tameda

On 22 April 2016, Vetyeka fought Tsuyoshi Tameda. Vetyeka won the fight via unanimous decision.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
34Win30–4Thompson MokwanaKO8, 2:216 Apr 2018Orient Theatre, East London, South AfricaWon vacant WBO Africa lightweight title
33Loss29–4Lerato DlaminiMD1021 Oct 2017Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, Gauteng, South Africa
32Win29–3Tsuyoshi TamedaUD1022 Apr 2016Orient Theatre, East London, South Africa
31Win28–3Rodolfo PuenteKO4 28 Nov 2015Selbourne Park, East London, South AfricaRetained WBA International featherweight title
30Win27–3Arturo Santos ReyesUD1212 Dec 2014Orient Theatre, East London, South AfricaWon vacant WBA International featherweight title
29Loss26–3Nonito DonaireTD5, 0:0131 May 2014Cotai Arena, MacaoLost WBA featherweight title
28Win26–2Chris JohnRTD6, 3:006 Dec 2013Metro City, Northbridge, Western Australia, AustraliaRetained IBO featherweight title;
Won WBA featherweight title
27Win25–2Daud YordanTKO12, 2:1214 Apr 2013Indoor Tennis Stadium, Jakarta, IndonesiaWon IBO featherweight title
26Win24–2Sibusiso KhumaloKO4 14 Dec 2012Mdantsane Indoor Centre, Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, South Africa
25Loss23–2Klaas MboyaneSD84 Jun 2012Sandton Convention Centre, Sandton, Gauteng, South Africa
24Win23–1Giovanni CaroUD122 Jul 2011Plaza de Toros Fermin Rivera, San Luis Potosi, MexicoWon WBC International super-bantamweight title
23Win22–1Roberto Carlos LeyvaKO3, 2:3225 Feb 2011Million Dollar Elm Casino, Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
22Win21–1Eric BarcelonaUD1211 Jul 2009Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, Gautent, South AfricaWon IBO bantamweight title
21Win20–1Nkosinathi TshinavheTKO8, 2:2616 Aug 2008Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, Gauteng, South AfricaRetained South African bantamweight title
20Win19–1Nkqubela GwazelaUD1212 Apr 2008North-West University Sports Complex, Mafikeng, North-West, South AfricaRetained South African bantamweight title
19Win18–1Lubabalo MsuthuTKO8, 1:2214 Dec 2007Nasrec Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South AfricaRetained South African bantamweight title
18Win17–1Ebenezer TumaneTKO2, 0:4631 Aug 2007James Motlatsi Hall, Klerksdorp, North-West, South AfricaRetained South African bantamweight title
17Loss16–1Hozumi HasegawaUD123 May 2007Ariake Coliseum, Kōtō, Tokyo, JapanFor WBC bantamweight title
16Win16–0Sakhumzi BongwanaTKO4, 0:469 Dec 2006Mdantsane Indoor Centre, Mdantsane, East London, South AfricaRetained South African bantamweight title
15Win15–0Siyabonga NyangaUD127 Jul 2006Orient Theatre, East London, South AfricaRetained South African bantamweight title
14Win14–0Wendy MackenzieTKO8, 1:462 Dec 2005Orient Theatre, East London, South AfricaRetained South African bantamweight title
13Win13–0Sakhumzi BongwanaTKO7, 2:355 Aug 2005Orient Theatre, East London, South AfricaRetained South African bantamweight title
12Win12–0Luthando MaqoloTKO7, 2:026 May 2005Centenary Hall, New Brighton, Port ElizabethRetained South African bantamweight title
11Win11–0Khulile MakebaUD124 Feb 2005Graceland Hotel Casino, Secunda, South AfricaWon South African bantamweight title
10Win10–0Mzimkhulu FundePTS623 Oct 2004Orient Theatre, East London, South Africa
9Win9–0Bonile NgcinganePTS631 Jul 2004Orient Theatre, East London, South Africa
8Win8–0Zilindile KafatyiPTS621 Feb 2004Orient Theatre, East London, South Africa
7Win7–0Siyabulela ZiqulaPTS86 Dec 2003Orient Theatre, East London, South Africa
6Win6–0Mlungiseleli JambelaKO2 5 Apr 2003Orient Theatre, East London, South Africa
5Win5–0Phillip StelleKO2 14 Dec 2002Mdantsane Indoor Centre, Mdantsane, East London, South Africa
4Win4–0Yongama JezileTKO3 30 Nov 2002Transkei University Atlanta Hall, Mthatha, South Africa
3Win3–0Sithembile MangweniKO3 18 Aug 2002Mdantsane Indoor Centre, Mdantsane, East London, South Africa
2Win2–0Msitheli GxalathanaTKO4 24 Mar 2002Mdantsane Indoor Centre, Mdantsane, East London, South Africa
1Win1–0Lundi MboziPTS411 Jan 2002Orient Theatre, East London, South Africa