Golden Gloves

IBO All Africa junior flyweight kingpin Hekkie “The Hex-exutioner” Budler is within reach of winning world honours! So says Golden Gloves Promoter Rodney Berman, whose respect for the diminutive Budler is such that he plans for the 21-year-old lover of snakes (Pythons especially) to fight for a global championship in 2010!

“Hekkie has always greatly admired the achievements of the legendary “Baby” Jake Matlala” said Berman, who incidentally guided the Soweto icon to two of his four world titles, and orchestrated Matlala’s stunning stoppage victory over Hall of Famer Michael Carbajal in 1997 at Las Vegas. “As such, he will be keen to emulate some of the glittering accomplishments of Matlala, and you can take it from me that 2010 will be the year in which he’s afforded the opportunity to fight for a world championship”.
Just when and where Budler will receive his title-winning chance, Berman won’t say, but indications are that it could be fairly soon in the year. Similarly, the CEO of Golden Gloves Promotions remains tight-lipped regarding the title that Budler will be competing for.

“Hekkie definitely warrants a championship crack and I’ve no doubt he’ll grab the opportunity with both gloves” smiled Berman, whose resume already boasts over 70 world titleholders, and all since 1990.

Oddly enough there are a number of similarities between Budler and Matlala in terms of style” added Berman. “Both fighters fall into the category of human buzzsaws; in other words, boxers who throw punches at twenty-to-the-dozen, while maintaining a steady rhythm and relentless degree of stamina”. Moreover, Budler is much the same as Jake was when it comes to punching power. While never renowned as an instant wielder of destruction, Matlala would break down the opposition with a systematic barrage of body blows and was especially effective at close quarters. Goodness, listening to me speak you could be forgiven for thinking I’m describing one and the same fighter!”

Unbeaten in 13 bouts as a professional, in which he’s scored 5 stoppages, Budler has only been fighting professionally since July 2007, and Berman hopes that he’ll be around for a L-O-N-G time to come!

“South Africa has a history of producing sterling junior flyweights, and it’s my considered opinion that Hekkie will become one of the very best of them” concluded Berman.
Trained by Colin Nathan, the fiery young “Hex-ecutioner” will obviously be relishing the prospect of competing for a world title, and methinks his mind will be focusing on nothing else when his family breaks open the bubbly and carves up the turkey over the festive season.