Golden Gloves

Promoter Rodney Berman is aiming to market his IBO world junior flyweight champion Hekkie “The Hexecutioner” Budler (16-0, with 5 stoppages) aggressively in America over the next twelve months in order to underline the West Rand fighter’s prowess as an internationally class performer. “To begin with Budler will be showcasing his talent in a non-title bout on the undercard of a Banner Promotions world championship bill in Laredo, Texas on August 14” said Berman. “Thereafter we’ve resolved for Hekkie to feature on several overseas tournaments during 2011 though his main base will still be at Emperors Palace in South Africa”.

The 22-year-old Budler, whose been boxing professionally for three years, has continued to improve in technique and having won the vacant IBO world junior flyweight title in a nail-biting contest against Juanito Rubillar in February this year, he went on to successfully defend his crown against the same fighter earlier this month.

“No one can dispute Hekkie’s incredible growth in terms of status and while we readily admit that there’s still much he should learn, trainer Colin Nathan has done a remarkable job honing his potential” concluded Berman.

One of the most popular South African boxers of the last five years, Budler aims to emulate the success of his boyhood idol Baby Jake Matlala and there are those pundits who feel he may even go on to eclipse the achievements of the legendary Sowetan. “I’d never be able to stamp my authority on the sport like Jake did” said Budler recently, “but I will certainly attempt to follow in his footsteps”.

A “livewire” fighter who throws punches twenty-to-the-dozen, Budler’s work ethic is reminiscent of Matlala in his heyday and while he’s no wielder of instant devastation enough of his foes have vouched for his strength-sapping effectiveness. Indeed even Baby Jake himself has complimented the diminutive Hekkie on his fiery work rate and believes that the Python-loving IBO junior flyweight king has an extremely bright future. That Golden Gloves Promotions CEO Rodney Berman has elected to establish Budler as a “name” in America is indicative of his long range plans and Berman’s American business associate Art Pellulo is known to be an avid admirer of the well-mannered South African. “Hekkie could definitely cut it in the States” said Pellulo who realises only too well that Budler’s second outing abroad will attract a great deal of comment. “He fought in Canada during December 2007 in what was only his fourth professional fight and earned some telling applause and now that the highly influential magazine The Ring has him rated #10^th in the world his next performance will no doubt be keenly appraised by a number of experienced journalists” said Pellulo.