Philippines, 10 Jul 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Saturday: Elwin Soto-Hekkie Budler Light Flyweight Title Eliminator Headlines Mexican Fight Night LIVE on ESPN+

PhilBoxing.com





Coverage from Palenque Fex in Mexicali, Mexico, begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT

(June 22, 2022) — Two former world champions will battle for one more shot at title glory. Mexico’s Elwin “La Pulga” Soto and South African two-weight world champion Hekkie “The Hexecutioner” Budler will collide in a 12-round WBC light flyweight title eliminator this Saturday, June 25, at Palenque Fex in Mexicali, Mexico.

Soto hails from San Felipe, a two-hour drive from Mexicali, and will have the home crowd advantage. Budler, from Johannesburg, is a 34-year-old veteran who will be making only his third career appearance in North America.

Soto-Budler tops a loaded night of fights streaming live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

Soto (19-2, 13 KOs) won the WBO light flyweight title in June 2019 with a come-from-behind 12th-round stoppage over Angel “Tito” Acosta. He successfully defended that belt four times over the next two years, finally losing his belt last October to Jonathan Gonzalez by split decision. He has not fought since the Gonzalez defeat and hopes a win over Budler will earn him a shot at WBC world champion Kenshiro Teraji.

Budler (33-4, 10 KOs) has been 12 rounds 17 times and won the WBA 105-pound title in March 2014 when he stopped Karluis Diaz in one round. He defended that belt four times before losing a tight decision to Byron Rojas. In May 2018, Budler edged Ryoichi Taguchi by decision to win the WBA, IBF and Ring Magazine 108-pound titles. His reign as the top 108-pounder lasted a little more than seven months. After taking a little more than two years off, Budler returned last May in Johannesburg and won the WBC Silver light flyweight belt with a unanimous decision over Jonathan Almacen.

In other streaming action:

• Junior featherweight prospect Jose Ramirez Maciel (16-1, 9 KOs), from Mexicali looks for his 13th consecutive victory against Jorge Luis Martinez Monreal (13-1-1, 8 KOs) in the 10-round co-feature.

• Lightweight puncher Diego Torres Nunez (14-0, 13 KOs), who knocked out 13 straight foes to start his pro career, hopes to get back on the knockout track in a 10-rounder against Royder Dzul Camacho (9-3-2, 3 KOs), who is unbeaten in his last five fights.

• In an eight-rounder at featherweight, Rafael “El Divino” Espinoza (18-0, 15 KOs) will match up against Gerardo Valenzuela Munoz (10-1, 9 KOs). Espinoza has scored first-round knockouts in his last two fights.

• Hermosillo-born flyweight prospect Yahir Frank (9-0, 6 KOs), a 19-year-old upstart, hopes to author a career-best victory against Carlos Mejia (8-2-1, 2 KOs) in an eight-rounder.




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • WBO Asia Pacific super bantamweight champion Gabriel Santisima set to defend title tomorrow in Malungon, Sarangani Province
    , Fri, 10 Jul 2026
  • BiYu Promotions Launches "Fights Under the Lights" with Star-Studded Card Featuring the Return of the Grandy Twins
    , Fri, 10 Jul 2026
  • Full card set for ProBoxTV on July 18 in San Bernardino
    , Fri, 10 Jul 2026
  • IBA President Umar Kremlev promises world-class spectacle ahead of IBA PRO 19 showdown
    , Fri, 10 Jul 2026
  • Ataev-Uzcategui WBA title eliminator officials named
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 10 Jul 2026
  • GM Joey Antonio is set to defend his titles at the upcoming sixth Gov. Henry S.Oaminal Chess Championships
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 10 Jul 2026
  • Triple title header in UKC slugfest on July 12
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 09 Jul 2026
  • Coming soon Chávez vs Chávez new documentary TV series
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 09 Jul 2026
  • ANDY RUIZ JR. PENS PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM
    , Thu, 09 Jul 2026
  • US based NM OJ Reyes eyes another title
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 09 Jul 2026
  • Legane fights on August 2 in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 08 Jul 2026
  • "The Greatest" Muhammad Ali biographical mini series to stream on Prime Video starting November 4
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 08 Jul 2026
  • Ramon Cardenas-Leonardo Carrillo, plus two more 10-round fights added to Lester Martinez-Luka Plantic card
    , Wed, 08 Jul 2026
  • 56th Annual NABF Convention Concludes with Resounding Success in Savannah, Georgia
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 08 Jul 2026
  • IBA President Umar Kremlev: IOC had no choice but to accept lifting the restrictions on Russian athletes
    , Wed, 08 Jul 2026
  • Martin dares Inoue, Casimero
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 07 Jul 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 6 JULY 2026: Abdullah Mason Stops Albert Bell in 12; Carrington Outpoints Palacios; Wins by Mossely, Sadjo, El Hadri.
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 07 Jul 2026
  • Quiñonero to fight again on August 28
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 07 Jul 2026
  • MannyPay Global Launches U.S. Merchant Processing Division to Help Small Businesses Lower Payment Costs and Accelerate Growth
    , Tue, 07 Jul 2026
  • Murat Gassiev to face Peter Kadiru for the WBA Heavyweight world title
    , Tue, 07 Jul 2026
  • Bansilan, Tan rule Faith Run
    , Tue, 07 Jul 2026
  • Teremoana and new Matchroom Boxing signing Zerafa confirmed for big August 12 card in Australia
    , Mon, 06 Jul 2026
  • Jayson Vayson Returns to World Rankings
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 06 Jul 2026
  • Yor beats Salisad in technical decision, wants rematch
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 06 Jul 2026
  • War, Chess, and Writs: Why Mayweather vs. Pacquiao II is Postponed, Not Scrapped
    By Dong Secuya, , Mon, 06 Jul 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.