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Juanito Rubillar has honed his pugilistic skills over a period of years on the demanding international circuit, fashioning an overall record of 48-14-7 with 23 knockouts and on June 19 this rugged Filipino will return to South Africa for a rematch with the 22-year-old IBO world junior flyweight champion Hekkie “The Hex-ecutioner” Budler (15-0). Remembering that their first meeting in 2009, which was for the vacant IBO junior flyweight championship, ended on a controversial note, Rubillar promises to avenge that majority decision defeat with what he terms a “clear-cut” victory. Indeed while the Filipino points to the fact most South African ringsiders felt he’d done enough to win the first fight he’s still bitter that all three judges happened to be South Africans. For the record, two judges had Budler ahead at the end of twelve rounds and a third scored the contest even.
Certainly the Filipino camp appear extremely confident that the southpaw Islander will return home with the IBO junior flyweight belt strapped around his waist and through an interpreter, Rubillar has voiced his determination to set the record straight. “Juanito knows he won that first bout and this time around he’ll take charge (of the action) from the opening bell” said one of Rubillar’s spokesmen.
Not that the diminutive Budler expects the battle-hardened Filipino to attempt anything less and its noteworthy that the West Rand fighter has said the rematch will be another fever-pitched battle. “I realise he’ll be a lot tougher the second time around and we’ve prepared accordingly” said Budler, whose been working hard on shortening his right hand on the inside.
Golden Gloves Promoter Rodney Berman, however, believes that despite Rubillar’s superior experience, gleaned on warfronts all over the world, Budler has come of age as a fighter and he’s expecting a far more polished performance from his homespun world champion who presently commands a #10 berth on The Ring magazine independent world rankings list.
“Hekkie will be a lot more assured in the rematch and don’t forget that most fighters improve once they win a world title” said Berman.
One of three world title contests on the glittering Emperors Palace “BLOCKBUSTER” extravaganza, experts agree that the Budler/ Rubillar fight could well furnish fight fans with one of the best bouts of 2010.
“A pair of gamecocks with an abundance of courage who’ll both be fighting their hearts out” is the way former two-time world champion Brian Mitchell summed up the fight and though Mitchell felt that Rubillar was a shade unlucky to lose the first meeting, he fully expects to see Budler improve in the rematch. “Last time out Rubillar’s left-handed stance gave Hekkie a lot of trouble but I’m going along with the Hex-ecutioner to retain his title on June 19” said Mitchell.
*Incidentally, GGP Promoter Rodney Berman has assured fans that there will be a least one foreign judge presiding over the action when Budler and Rubillar sling punches in the return match.
May 31, 2010 at 9:48 am, Britt said:
A “Clear cut” victory seems a bit too far for Rubilliar, Hekkie won’t be the same fighter he was in 09’ this will be a Hekkie like no other has seen be for. I believe Hekkie will retain he’s title!
May 31, 2010 at 12:32 pm, fight fan said:
This will be the fight of the year.
Budler is going to show the publick that he is the champion. He is going to shut Rublilar up for spreading such nonsense that he knocked Budler down in the previous fight.
I am willing to put money on this fight.
I think a few of us are.
May 31, 2010 at 12:40 pm, fan said:
Budler is surley the most popular boxer in the GGBP. The Golden Kid.
This will surely ensure that The champ wil now be inline for big sponsers. He is a world champ! Help this kid get him a good Sponser Please!
May 31, 2010 at 1:46 pm, fight fan said:
My brother will beat him again just like he did before Hekkie is a hard boy take no respect away from Rubillar he is tough as nails ,but like they say a win is a win even it is by a half point or by a nose.Hekkie is a winner.A winner never quits and a qouiter never wins.HEKKIE MY BOET YOU WILL BE VICTORIUS THE WORD SAYS SO YOU ARE AND WILL REMAIN THE BEST…..AMEN.
May 31, 2010 at 2:05 pm, fan of Hex said:
Amen. Brother I agree this man is the King!
He reminds you of a sunday school kid but get in the ring with him. He hits the Hell out of you.
Go Budler Go!!
May 31, 2010 at 2:09 pm, fan said:
This one is for you Heks so the world! You are the best!
Give this fight your all.
May 31, 2010 at 2:24 pm, Classy said:
If Juanito is pulling weight at the weigh in he wont be able to sustain a 12 round assault. Look for him to start fast but fade down the strech. I will go with youth here! Hex is the man!
May 31, 2010 at 2:28 pm, fan of Hex said:
Budler has always had to be at his best! Boxing in this weight devision means you must know what you are doing.
Amature boxing as well as pro boxing the lightweights are are plenty in their numbers.
June 01, 2010 at 7:35 am, the real fight fan said:
hekkie will still be champ.
June 04, 2010 at 10:20 am, fight fan said:
.
By the sounds of it Tommy is not fighting on the 19th. You are the world champ so you will
have to head the Bill and entertain the boxing public. Not that you haven’t before. But make this one a fight to remember for all your supporters and even your critics.
We think your the greatest.
June 20, 2010 at 10:47 am, Rene said:
Hi Hekkie,
Well done for last nights win, we all knew you could do it again, you fought like a real champ.
We are all proud of you, as you said in your interview after the fight – we hope no one will question this win!
We love you and are so proud of you once again!