DAPUDONG MAKES WEIGHT, READY TO AVENGE CONTROVERSIAL LOSS TO BUTHELEZI

Junior bantamweight Edrin ?The Sting? Dapudong made the weight handily for his rematch against IBO champion Gideon Buthelezi in a fight card titled ?Final Reckoning? at the Emperors Palace in Johannesburg on Sunday, Manila Time.

There were also no weight problems for Hekkie Budler and Nkosinathi Joyi who are featured in the main event of an eagerly-awaited IBO strawweight title fight.

South African media said the Dapudong clash with Buthelezi is ?another intriguing and even more controversial match-up? noting that ?many of Buthelezi's most patriotic supporters conceded the South African was more than a little fortunate to have received the points verdict when he fought Dapudong for the IBO title at Emperors Palace last year.?

The IBO called for a rematch after the split decision verdict in favor of a battered and bloody Buthelezi who was also dropped in the 9th round was bitterly criticized in both the South African and Philippine media.

While Dapudong is eager and ready to avenge that controversial loss, Buthelezi?s supporters believe he will now have the chance to show he is indeed a worthy champion and has the measure of the crafty Filipino.