Saturday night at the Selborne Park Tennis Stadium in East London, South Africa, WBA International featherweight champion Simphiwe Vetyeka (28-3, 16 KOs), from Duncan Village, Eastern Cape, South Africa, successfully retained his title by knocking out Colombia’s Rodolfo Puente (16-2, 12 KOs) in the fourth round of a scheduled 12-round fight.

Thirty-four-year-old Vetyeka had not fought in a year, but there was no evidence of ring rust to be seen. The former South African bantamweight champion has held IBO and WBC titles and won the WBA Super World featherweight title in 2013 when he defeated legendary Chris John.

In his first defense, Vetyeka fought and lost his belt to Nonito Donaire in the fifth round after Donaire could no longer continue because of a cut cause by what was ruled an accidental headbutt in the first.

That was a disheartening loss.

In his last fight, in December 2014, he won the vacant WBA International featherweight title by decision over Arturo Santos Reyes.

Based on Saturday’s impressive showing, Vetyeka has bounced back and has returned to form.

The veteran was too slick and seasoned for his Colombian opponent, who was fighting his first fight outside his native country, piling up points during the first three rounds with speed and clever punching.

Puente came out at the bell to start round four swinging for the fences. Vetyeka caught him with a glancing blow to the head that dropped him to his knees.

The referee, Stanley Christodoulou, administered the count of 10.

Puente was counted out at 1:42 of round four.

This article was penned by the author who is not related to the WBA and the statements, expressions or opinions referenced herein are that of the author alone and not the WBA.