Linda Ximba
All eyes will be on Hekkie Budler when he gets into the ring with Mexican Elwin Soto in a WBC junior-flyweight title eliminator next month in Mexico.
A victory will give him a crack at the prestigious crown held by Kenshiro Teraji of Japan.
Budler, who holds the WBC Silver belt, is rated at number one in the WBC ratings while Soto is rated third.
Budler’s trainer and manager Colin Nathan told Scrolla.Africa he was pleased the WBC ratings committee had released his boxer.
“Hekkie deserves a crack. I am ecstatic that my hard work behind the scenes is paying off. All that is left now is to make sure we don’t let this chance slip through our fingers by working hard to ensure we get our foot into the door,” said Nathan.
Budler, who has held many world titles including the IBO, WBA Super and IBF, earned the top rating with the WBC after winning its Silver title on 22 May last year. He put in a good show to score a points win against Jonathan Almacen from the Philippines at Booysens Gym in Jozi.
The 33-year-old South African boasts 33 wins in 37 fights, while 25-year-old Soto, who is a former WBO champion, has chalked up 19 wins in 21 contests.
Budler thanked Nathan for the big chance.
“I am very happy to get this opportunity. I am actually blessed to have Colin in my corner. It’s going to be a hard, tough fight. I know that guy, but I will be ready for it,” Budler said.
Local boxing lovers will be keeping their fingers crossed that Budler wins against Soto and eventually brings home the WBC title.
South Africa desperately needs a world champion. Moruti Mthalane has lost his IBF flyweight title while Thabiso Mchunu failed to grab the WBC cruiserweight belt away from Ilunga Makabu.
