JOHANNESBURG – Hekkie “The Hex-ecutioner” Budler will need to defeat Juanito Rubillar and capture the vacant IBO world junior flyweight title on February 27 at Emperors Palace in order to set up a potential world championship “unification” bout with WBC world junior flyweight king Rodel Mayol at the same venue on June 18.
So says Golden Gloves promoter Rodney Berman, who is setting up talks with WBC President Jose Sulamain about the feasibility of staging the contest on the Emperors Palace fistic bonanza on June 18.
“The WBC President and I are on exceptionally good terms,” said Berman, “and I will be alerting him to the fact that Budler (13-0) is soon to fight Rubillar, who presently occupies a number seven berth in the latest WBC world rankings.
“Naturally everything depends on Hekkie beating Rubillar, which in itself is an extremely tall order, given the fact that the 32-year-old Filipino has been boxing professionally since 1994 (when he was only 16) and is one of the most experienced junior flyweights on the planet.”
Since championship victory for the 20-year-old Budler on February 27 has now taken on an enhanced perspective, Berman emphasised the need for the diminutive Budler to remain totally focused in the weeks leading up to the fight.
“Trainer Colin Nathan will have his work cut out for him and I trust he’s involved Baby Jake Matlala – as he said he would – in the preparations for this, the most important fight of Hekkie’s burgeoning career.”
A veteran of over 50 fights, Rubillar is a southpaw and some critics have noted that Budler has never looked that comfortable boxing opponents who fight out of the left-handed stance.
“Nathan must remember that Rubillar is one of the cageist lefties in the game,” said Berman, “and with Matlala’s additional input, the likelihood of a South African triumph will be greatly increased.”
Incidentally, current WBC junior flyweight champion Mayol also hails from the Philippines and his record of 26 wins, four losses and one draw speaks for itself. A venomous puncher, he has rattled off a total 20 of knockouts.
The 28-year-old Mayol won the WBC world title in November, by stopping the highly touted Edgar Sosa in the second round and attributes much of his recent success to the input of current seven-time world champion Manny Pacquiao.
A legend in his own right, Pacquiao is presently considered the best “pound-for-pound” fighter on the planet.
Berman has signalled his intention of “moving heaven and earth” in order to assist in the national commitment of making 2010 the most unforgettable year.
