Former four-time world champion, Hekkie Budler, has promised to reclaim his status in world boxing.
Budler’s mission starts this weekend when he takes on Joey Canoy of the Phillipines for the vacant International Boxing Organisation Junior Flyweight at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park on Saturday.
Budler returns to his happy hunting ground on Saturday.
He will be in action in the Thunder and Lightning boxing tournament which will feature three foreign boxers.
28-year-old Budler has lost only two fights at Emperors Palace, winning most of his 32 professional fights there.
His only loss against an international opponent at this venue was against Byron Rogers in March 2016.
A confident Budler says he trained throughout December and January, and is currently at his best, stating, “I believe I can beat anybody in the world right now. Saturday I will be at my best. We worked throughout December. We started in November, and I worked hard through January. I’m having my Christmas after the fight. Sunday I will have my Christmas lunch. I’m ready. God willing, I will do my best”.
Another attraction on Saturday will be a rematch between light heavyweight Ryno Liebenburg, and his German opponent Enrico Koelling for an international light heavyweight title.
The South African beat Koelling in controversial circumstances in Germany in 2016.
Liebenberg says he respects Koelling, but come Saturday, he will knock his German rival out.
“I respect him as a fighter, coming to South Africa he kept his word. I’ve got nothing bad to say about him. I really want to thank you and your team for coming to South Africa, and come Saturday we going see who’s the eventual winner on Saturday. I believe it’s going to be me. I will knock him out,? says Liebenberg.
Koelling expressed that it is only fair that he comes and defeat Liebenberg in his hometown, saying, “Ryno came to Germany and it was a close fight. He still thinks he won the fight. It’s fair to come here and fight Ryno here in his home town. I’m here. I will fight and I will win the fight”.
Promising prospect, Thulani Mbenge, will be chasing his 9th win in a row against Ntuthuko Memela in the welterweight division, and Kevin Lerena will meet Vikapita Meroro of Namibia in an international cruiserweight fight.
