By Mesuli Zifo
Hospitalised South African boxer and former world champion Simpiwe Vetyeka received a speedy recovery message from an unlikely source while recovering from a hit-and-run accident.
Vetyeka's boxing career hangs in the balance after he was hit by a car which failed to stop.
The accident left him with several broken bones in the leg casting doubt if he will able to fight again.
After hearing the news of the accident, Vetyeka’s former opponent Nonito Donaire of Philippines took time off the press conference of his WBO interim world featherweight title clash against Carl Frampton in Belfast, Northern Ireland to send Vetyekaa video message.
“Simpiwe we heard about what happened to you and we wish you the best,” Donaire said via a video message.
“Our hearts are with you and we hope that you will recover fully.”
Donaire’s clash against Frampton will headline a tournament also featuring Vetyeka’s compatriot Zolani Tete defending his WBO bantamweight crown against Argentine veteran Omar Narvaez at SSE Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland on Saturday.
The message by the Filipino took Vetyeka by surprise as the last time the pair met in the ring, Vetyeka accused Donaire of using tricks to take his WBA featherweight title.
This when Vetyeka accused Donaire of influencing the referee to stop their WBA featherweight title clash due to the cut he suffered from an accidental headbutt in Macau in 2014.
The fight went to the scorecards and Donaire was declared the winner, taking Vetyeka’s title.
The Filipino promised to give him a rematch but never did.
However Donaire’s well message has proven that he still holds Vetyeka in high regard.
“You have our support and we wish you continue with your boxing career,” Donaire added.
Vetyeka said he was pleasantly surprised by the message adding that it motivated him to fight on to recover from the accident.
“I am surprised that Nonito is taking time to send me such a message when he has an important fight to concentrate on,” he said.
“I want to wish him all the best in his fight against Frampton and I thank him very much for the well wishes.”
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