Philippines, 16 Nov 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


THAI PIGMY KOKIETGYM SET TO CHALLENGE WBA/IBO WORLD CHAMP HEKKIE BUDLER THIS SATURDAY IN MONACO


PhilBoxing.com




The long reigning WBC Asian 105-pound champ Pigmy Kokietgym (52-6-2, 22 KO's) of Thailand is set to depart today (June 17) for the most important battle of his life: his clash against South African WBA/IBO World Champion Hekkie Budler (25-1, 8 KO's) this Saturday (June 21) at the Casino de Monte Carlo Salle Medecin in the Principality of Monaco.

The third man in Monaco will be American referee Raul Caiz Jr of California with ringside Judges Pawel Kardyni of Poland, Juan Manuel Garcia Reyes of Spain and Ferlin Marsh of New Zealand.

In preparation for this double-title fight, the experienced 105-pounder Pigmy Kokietgym has completed a full-schedule of sparring rounds with his more heavy stablemate super bantamweight veteran Sod Kokietgym (63-2-1, 28 KO's). Sod is also in training for his fight against unbeaten Cuban world champion Guillermo Rigondeaux (13-0, 8 KO's) next month in Macau.

The full training and physical conditioning have taken place at the Kokiet Gym training facility in Thailand, succeeding in getting Pigmy's weight under control, and strength and speed at their best.

Stakes are high for the world-ranked come-forward challenger Pigmy Kokietgym whose last outing was an easy 6-rounder unanimous decision win over unheralded Filipino Jimmy Masangkay last February in Kalasin, Kingdom of Thailand.

In contrast, the taller more talented WBA/IBO world champ Hekkie Budler, 26, comes from pulverizing in less than 3 minutes Colombian challenger Karluis Diaz (25-5, 14 KO's) last March in Kempton Park, South Africa.

On paper, the refined fighting skills of Hekkie Budler should be enough for the aggressive 32-year-old Pigmy Kokietgym, a former muay thai combatant... though in boxing we never know.

The card's co-main event features the competitive battle between Congolese-born French Youri Kayembre Kalenga (19-1, 13 KO's) and hard-swinging Polish Mateusz Masternak (32-1, 23 KO's) for the vacant WBA interim Cruiserweight title.

Top photo: Thai challenger Pigmy Kokietgym RIGHT during last day of Training Today in Thailand.


Thai challenger Pigmy Kokietgym RIGHT with Stablemate and Sparring partner Sod Kokietgym During Training Today in Thailand.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Conor Benn dominates Chris Eubank Jr to claim emphatic rematch victory
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 16 Nov 2025
  • Filipino GM Antonio beats Argentinian CM Daniri , maintains second place in Spain chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 16 Nov 2025
  • NBA ALL STAR 2026: USA VS. WORLD
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Sun, 16 Nov 2025
  • Chris Eubank Jr. vs Conor Benn 2: Will Eubank Step on the Gas Pedal Earlier?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • Tickets ON SALE NOW for Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou Title Unification Showdown at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan
    , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • Russ Westbrook set record setting 10,000 assists
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • GM Joey Antonio draws Becker to maintain second place in Spain chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • 4th Gov. Ruel Pacquiao Motocross Competition
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • Weigh-In Results: Rafael Espinoza vs. Arnold Khegai
    , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • Soledad fights Thai for WBC Asia Continental Welter title on Nov. 29
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • Former Champ Joseph Parker fails drug test on WBO championship fight
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • R&B PROMOTIONS RETURNS TO HARD ROCK LIVE AT ETESS ARENA FOR FIGHT NIGHT 4 ON NOVEMBER 22, 2025
    , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • WEIGHIN RESULTS FROM ALL STAR BOXING SHOW IN MANAGUA
    , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • Tapales wins by a unanimous decision
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 14 Nov 2025
  • Porres III to fight Narukami for vacant IBF Youth flyweight title tomorrow
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 14 Nov 2025
  • Press Conference Notes: Featherweight King Rafael Espinoza Readies for Mexican Homecoming
    , Fri, 14 Nov 2025
  • MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS HOSTS “BABY SHOWER” TO BENEFIT MARINE TOYS FOR TOTS IN HONOR OF PAPA-TO-BE JIMUEL PACQUIAO’S PRO DEBUT
    , Fri, 14 Nov 2025
  • DANGEROUS SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS FRANCISCO VERON AND ROIMAN VILLA COLLIDE IN “DO OR DIE” MAIN EVENT ON PROBOXTV’S FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS
    , Fri, 14 Nov 2025
  • Jeter Promotions Kacie Wheeler Back in Action on November 22
    , Fri, 14 Nov 2025
  • Filipino GM Antonio beats German FIDE Master for stay in second place in Spain Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 14 Nov 2025
  • ROUND 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Gathering Of Legends
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Thu, 13 Nov 2025
  • Antonio draws with England's Arkell in Spain chess tiff
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 13 Nov 2025
  • NBA announces the new format to All Star Game
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 13 Nov 2025
  • Press Conference Notes: Xander Zayas & Abass Baraou Face Off Ahead of January 31 Title Unification Showdown in San Juan, Puerto Rico
    , Thu, 13 Nov 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.