Philippines, 12 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


BUDLER HITS TOWN; CONFIDENT OF BRINGING BACK HOME MELINDO'S IBF BELT (PHOTOS)


PhilBoxing.com




CEBU CITY ? IBO world light flyweight champion Hekkie 'The Hexecutioner' Budler of South Africa hit town Wednesday accompanied by his trainer Colin Nathan ahead of his world title fight against local boy and defending IBF light flyweight champion Milan 'El Metodico' Melindo headlining the Pinoy Pride 42 card on September 16 at the Waterfront Hotel & Casino here.

Budler and Nathan faced the Cebu media Thursday morning at the Radisson Hotel, still jet lagged after more than 30 hours of air travel and waking up to what corresponds to early dawn in Johannesburg.

?Obviously we are still jet lagged,? Nathan told the press as an introduction. ?That's why we came here early to acclimatize. But make no mistake about it. We are not here on a holiday. We have researched, studied and prepared well for our fight against Melindo on Sep. 16 and we are confident of beating Melindo and bringing back the IBF belt to South Africa.?

Budler meanwhile expects a great fight with Melindo and praises Filipino boxers in general for their guts. Budler has so far faced six Filipino boxers including former world champion Florante Condes, beating all of them.

?Filipino boxers, even if they have 10 loses, you have to be at your best because they always come to fight,? Budler said who had two very close fights against Juanito Rubillar for the IBO world light flyweight championship. Rubillar had already 14 loses when he first met Budler in 2010.


IBO world champion Hekkie Budler speaks to the Cebu media Thrusday.


Budler and his trainer Colin Nathan pose during Thursday's presscon.

?It is an honor fighting in the Philippines. We've been looking forward to fighting here. I expect a great fight against Melindo. I predict to win and bring the belt back home,? Budler said who refused to predict a knockout, only saying that ?one punch can change the course of the fight.?

Nathan also said that they would have fought for a unification fight with Budler's IBO belt also on the line but ALA Promotions, Melindo's promoter, was only interested to fight for the IBF belt.

Both Budler and Nathan were profuse in their praise on how they were welcomed and well-treated by their host. ?We are nicely treated. The Filipino people are great. I love the place and I can live here,? Budler said.

Budler is scheduled to have a public workout at the Ayala Center mall on Saturday, Sep. 9.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Taylor vs. Serrano Trilogy: Can Amanda Get The Nod?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • BERLANGA-SHEERAZ, STEVENSON-CEPEDA, MORELL-KHATAEV MAKE WEIGHT IN NEW YORK
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • Johnny Spell Takes on Chancellor Batttenberg on Saturday, July 19th at the Hollywood Casino at the Meadows in Washington, PA
    , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • JV Tuazon, Ador Torres, Lemuel De Barbo, Jomar Fajardo Make Weight for Brico Santig's Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Philippine Under-12 Girls Team Shines Bright, Clinches Multiple Medals at 23rd ASEAN+ Age Group Chess Championships in Penang
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Kenneth “Llover Boy” Takes on “El Nica” Concepcion Aug 17 on Gerry Peñalosa’s Show @ the Winford Resort and Casino Manila (Analysis)
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Undefeated junior middleweight prospect Anthony Velazquez won’t be Boxing’s best kept secret in 2026
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Undefeated Gabriela Tellez Returns July 18 at “Night of Champions” Live on DAZN
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Dushanbe hosts stacked fight card with Bakhodur Usmonov and Christopher Mouafo headlining IBA.Pro 8
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Shakur vs Zepeda & Morrell vs Khataev Fight Analysis
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Peñalosa To Test "Lover Boy" Llover Versus Accomplished Panamanian Veteran Concepcion
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Begins Brandenburg Cup Prep Camp
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Dream Fight: “Bam” Rodriguez vs “Puma” Martinez on the Horizon
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Perez vs Vivas Headlines All Star Boxing's Prueba de Fuego Card on July 25
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Christy Martin Promotions & Ringside Ticket Inc. Present ‘Lopez Vs. Vargas’ Welterweight Battle
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Vegas Fight Experience Where Authentic Sparring Meets Cinematic Vegas Energy
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • 4 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Erik Morales Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • SALITA PROMOTIONS SIGNS FORMER WORLD CHAMPION TONY HARRISON
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • FIGHT EMPIRE! TUAZON, ADOR, DE BARBO, JOMAR, AND MORE ARE READY FOR ACTION IN BRICO SANTIG'S EXCITING SHOW JULY 12 IN THAILAND
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • Shakur Stevenson and David Morrell Face "Crossroad Fights" This Saturday in Queens
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • Christy Martin’s “Mayhem in Music City 2” to Feature Undefeated Vic Hernandez Facing Jayvon Garnett for NABA & Jr. NABF Featherweight Championships
    , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • James Perkins & Anthony Andreozzi Headlines “Oceanside Prize Fights”
    , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • GORST PURSUES GOLDEN GLORY IN JEDDAH, DEFENDING WORLD POOL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE IN SAUDI ARABIA, 21–26 JULY
    , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • Hovhannisyan and Barrientes Set for High-Stakes Showdowns July 18 on DAZN
    , Tue, 08 Jul 2025
  • UNBEATEN PROSPECT KENNETH LLOVER TO FACE FORMER TWO-DIVISION CHAMPION LUIS CONCEPCION IN MANILA
    , Mon, 07 Jul 2025




  •  



     
    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
    © 2025 philboxing.com.