Nonito Donaire won the WBA featherweight title over Simpiwe Vetyeka on Saturday night in Macau, scoring a unanimous decision at the end of the fourth round when the fight was stopped due to an accidental headbutt.
The 31-year old Donaire, the 2012 Fighter of the Year, suffered a serious cut over his left eye when he was caught by a headbutt by the former titlist in the first round. The cut was so serious that Donaire could no longer see by the end round due to the blood running from the wound.
The bout then went to the scorecards which Donaire won 49-46 to secure the victory and give him a title at the 126 pound division.
Afterwards, Donaire told the Associated Press: "After the first round there was a headbutt. The ref asked me if I want him to stop the fight. I told him I want to continue."
Donaire received more headbutts from Vetyeka after the first round but it did not deter him from being the aggressor throughout the match. He left the South African shaky with a furious fourth round combination.
Vetyeka denied he had headbutted Donaire. "I'm terribly upset," he said.
Donaire went on to offer a rematch to Vetyeka, saying the South African is a great fighter.
His promoter, Bob Arum, added: "He said he didn't like to win the title that way so he's going to give the South African kid a rematch."
Donaire was also a world champion at the flyweight, bantamweight, and super bantamweight divisions.
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