On February 27, 1956, a 21-year-old Elvis Presley released the hit-song “Heartbreak Hotel”, and 54 years later to the day, South Africa’s 21-year-old Hekkie “The Hex-ecutioner” Budler will step away from his corner at Emperors Palace Casino, in search of a “hit” of his own. His target will be the vacant IBO world junior flyweight title and the man opposing his ascension to the crown is a 32-year-old Filipino named Juanito Rubillar, who in comparison to young Mr Budler (13-0) is a veteran with over sixty professional fights to his credit that translates into 48 wins, 13 losses and 7 draws. To date this southpaw warrior from Sucat, Paranaque City in Metro Manila, has husbanded his resources sufficiently well to warrant a #6 ranking by the WBC and attain recognition as one of the craftiest left handers on the international stage.

As such, we’ve been told that bookmakers have tabbed Rubillar a firm betting choice and given the records of the two fighters it’s no brain-picker to understand why. Budler was barely out of kinder-garden when Rubillar, then age 16, first took his talents to the professional ring, and where, over the past 14 years, he’s swapped leather with an eye-catching assembly of world renowned pugilists, among them Fahsang Pongsawang, Pongsaklek Wonjongkam, Zolani Petelo, Jorge Arce, Joma Gamboa, Edgar Sosa and Giovanni Segura.

Incidentally, the rugged Filipino will celebrate his 33rd birthday five days before seeking to dismantle the fresh-faced South African, who happens to love Pythons, a few of which –fully fed – look as though they’d rival him in terms of weight.

That Budler will be seeking to emulate the late Vic Toweel, who lifted the world bantamweight championship in only his 14th professional outing, is interesting, and like the inimitable Benoni wood-carver, Budler is routinely viewed as a rank underdog.

True, Budler’s trainer Colin Nathan has resorted to every bit of expertise he can possibly muster, like bringing in a first class southpaw sparring partner, lending ear to an American physical training expert and a former four-time world champion (Baby Jake Matlala), not to mention acquiring the additional services of this land’s most accomplished dietician!

Yet fights are often won and lost by means of strategy and methinks Budler’s lack of maturity worries his critics, several of whom question the wisdom of matching the Golden Gloves Promotions starlet with an opponent of such unquestionable stature so soon in his career.

Promoter Rodney Berman, however, has been known to take high-level risks in the past and will undoubtedly do so again, and it’s his firm conviction that Budler will triumph handsomely on the night. “There is always a moment of truth in any young fighter’s career, and I have the feeling that this fight will bring out the best in Hekkie” said the CEO of GGP.

Trainer Colin Nathan is equally confident of victory and believes that Budler’s determination, stamina and relentless battery of punches, will take their toll as the contest enters the latter rounds. “We’ll be looking to grind him down…though it won’t be easy” acknowledged Nathan.

To which local man-about-boxing Jeff Ellis added; “This bout will be a blistering war of attrition and Hekkie will need to keep his guards up, especially in the early rounds, because Rubillar owns an incisive right jab that he wields with the expertise of a surgeon using a scalpel. For Budler, it’s all about pace and strategy and if he manages to control the centre of the ring, I believe he’ll go on to win a pulsating 12 round decision”.