WeeklySA_AdminUNDETERRED: The Hexecutioner’s original foe pulled out but he will now trade blows with substitute Minh Phat Sam from Vietnam
By Pule Mokhine
South Africa’s boxing idol Hekkie “Hexecutioner” Budler says he is unperturbed by a sudden change of opponent for his upcoming fight.
This against the backdrop of what he claims is a sudden twist of events following the withdrawal of his original foe Kitidech Hirunsuk from Thailand. The latter pulled out of the scheduled ten-round junior flyweight bout due to be staged at Nasrec at Crown Mines on May 6.
Budler will now trade blows with substitute Minh Phat Sam from Vietnam on the same card that will be the headliner for the bill that will also feature Smangele “Smash” Hadebe who will slug it out with Phanaluk Kongsang from Thailand.
“Hexecutioner” says he is not shaken by the change of his original foe with only a week to go for what is an important bout for him. However, he is, as usual, looking forward though to giving it his best showing against Sam, whom he believes will give him a :great match”.
“I have been preparing hard to giving it my all against the Thai ever since the fight was announced. Imagine my dismay at learning that he has pulled out of the bout. Well, these things happen in boxing,” says Budler.
I am at full strength to give it my all against the Vietnamese whom I’m made to understand is good and up to the task of giving me a tough match.”
Budler said the Vietnamese was a credible foe as he would be here to give him (Budler) a good run for his money by virtue of having compiled an impressive record that includes nine wins with four knockout in recent fights.
But it is the match that is crucial for Budler whose chances of squaring up to Japanese Kenshira Teraji for the undisputed world junior flyweight title, are about to become a distinct reality.
“Hexecutioner” himself is the two-weight world champion , having held the IBO and WBA minimumweight belts between 2011 and 2016, and the unified WBA, IBF and Ring magazine light-flyweight diadems in 2018
He is over the moon that his dream to fight against Japanese Kenshiro Teraji for the world undisputed junior flyweight title, is about to become a reality.
Teraji currently holds the WBC, WBA and Ring magazine titles. Last week, he made a successful defense against Anthony Olascuaga in Japan. This outcome has strengthened his chances to fight Budler.
Their match is penciled in to take place in August, according to Budler. “I have to win my next match in order to prove that I am ready for the big one against the Japanese,” explains Budler.
“Hexecutioner” recently earned himself a staggering purse for stepping aside and allowing the Japanese to face Puerto Rican WBO champ Jonathan “Bomb” Gonzalez in a unification fight.
However, Budler could not disclose how much he got for stepping aside, save to say “ it was mouth-watering” offer that no boxer could refuse.
The step-aside rule has enabled many boxers to earn big money without throwing a single punch while they are mandatory challenger to have a crack at the champion’ s crown. Budler – whose famous success in the ring included multiple world titles in two weight classes – was mandated by the WBC to face Teraji.
The upcoming fight at Nasrec will definitely give “Hexecutioner” the bragging rights for what will be the biggest moment of his career – fighting the real champion in Teraji.
RISING TO CANE THE MASTER
CUT-TO-SIZE: Uthongathi’s Zothwane aims to teach his former boss Lechesa at Polokwane City a lesson never-to-be-forgotten
By Masoja Cele
As the adage suggests, you need to beat the best to be among the best. This is the challenge facing Polokwane City who cross swords against the lukewarm Uthongathi FC in a do or die Motsepe Foundation Championship fixture at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
Kick-off is at 15:00.
City is one of the three teams that are vying automatic promotion to the DStv Premiership next season. Undoubtedly, the finishing marathon is between Cape Town Spurs, Casric Stars and City.
With three gruelling rounds to end the campaign “Rise and Shine”, as City are called, trail log leaders Spurs and second place Stars with two points respectively.
The Limpopo side dented the possibility of topping the standings last weekend with a 2 all draw at JDR Stars last.
After playing Uthongathi, City will travel to Potchefstroom to face Platinum City Rovers and close down the curtain with another tough away clash to Pretoria Callies on the 14-May-2023.
Rise and Shine gaffer Duncan Lechesa will come face to face with his former assistant in Papi Zothwane.
The duo worked together at the beginning of the season and constructed a formidable side. However, today the two minds will be shouting instructions from the opposite end.
Zothwane is now the driving force behind the Cane Cutters. If City are serious of playing football in the top tier next season then must add more grit and zeal in their game.
The knowledgeable Lechasa will definitely pin his hopes on the experienced players he recently acquired from DStv Premiership teams.
Former Orlando Pirates and Cape Town City midfielder Mpho Makola and ex-Kaizer Chiefs star player Lucky ‘’Sherriff’’Baloyi has added stability to City’s engine room.
His combination with that of another football journeyman Lucky Mohau Mokate could be a needed stimulant for the Limpopo side. Up front the fiery Lerato Lamola and City’s long serving campaigner Puleng Tlolane could be a menace to the Cane Cutters defence.
Should Lechesa’s team lose or draw against the visitors then they could kiss the title goodbye. On the other end Uthongathi are comfortable nestled at seventh position on the log standings.
Since his return from his short stint at City Zothwane has brought stability and confidence to his team. The former Mamelodi Sundowns and Lamontville Golden Arrows attacking midfielder first joined the “Cane Cutters” in 2020 when he was appointed as Pitso Dladla assistant.
In 2021/22 he was permanently appointed head coach of the team. And he has done well for himself and the team. Uthongathi will approach the match with more intensity after a disappointing 1 all draw at home against Venda Academy.
Zothwane’s striking pair of Ferdinand Nkwuda and Mthokozisi Balakasi should up their performance if they intend to score against City’s agile goalkeeper Lindokuhle Mathebula. However, Nkwunda and Balakasi will rely on the supply from their midfield that is manned by the likes Thatho Mohlamme, Kagiso Shezi and Bokang Mokoena to bridge the relolute Rise and Shine defence.
In another Sunday fixture Tshakuma Tsha Madzihvandila will entertain Hungry Lions FC in the Motsepe Foundation Championship at Dr Molemela Stadium, in Bloemfontein. Kick-off is 15:00.
Sports: Briefs
SIYA OUT OF 2023 WORLD CUP
JOHANNESBURG – South Africa captain Siya Kolisi could miss the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France after injuring his knee in a United Rugby Championship match against Munster at the weekend. A South African Rugby Union insider told AFP on Monday that the 31-year-old World Cup-winning skipper had seen specialists and is set to meet another on Tuesday.
“Should surgery be recommended and Siya agrees, he will almost certainly not be able to play again this year,” the source said. That would rule him out of Rugby Championship matches against Australia, New Zealand and Argentina. The tournament has been reduced to a single round this year because of the World Cup.
South African media reports said the flanker suffered a partial tear to his anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL).
FURY/WILDER PART FOUR
WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury is negotiating a fourth fight against American Deontay Wilder, World Boxing News reported. According to the source, the boxers’ representatives are already negotiating.
Recall, the first fight between Fury and Wilder took place in December 2018. Their fight then ended in a draw by a split decision of the judges. The second time the boxers fought was in February 2020. This time Tyson defeated his opponent by a technical knockout in the seventh round.
The third confrontation took place in October, 2021. In this fight Deontay lost by TKO in the 11-th round. The British has 33 wins (24 by KO), one draw and no defeats. The American has 43 wins (42 by KO), two losses and one draw.
IT’S IN OUR HANDS – GUARDIOLA
Pep Guardiola’s team beat leaders Arsenal 4-1 at Etihad Stadium, and are now two points behind with two games in hand. City have seven matches left, starting with Sunday’s trip to Fulham before home games against West Ham and Leeds.
“We cannot lose our focus. Now it’s in our hands,” said Guardiola.
MISERABLE SEASON FOR CHELSEA
This is a season that Chelsea fans will just want to come to an end, with the return of club legend Frank Lampard having failed to steady the ship. Every game since the 44-year-old’s appointment on April 3 has ended in defeat – three in the Premier League and two in the Champions League – while the Blues have scored just once so far under Lampard’s watch as their season-long struggle in front of goal continued.
Chelsea fans’ hopes of seeing that dismal run ended on Wednesday would not have been lifted by the team news, as Lampard selected what appeared to be a pretty conservative side to try and halt the run of losses, with Joao Felix and Mykhailo Mudryk on the bench and Raheem Sterling leading the attack.
The 2-0 defeat at Brentford on Wednesday leaves Chelsea in the bottom half of the table as they sit 11th, six points behind Fulham in 10th and eight behind Brentford, who move up to ninth
HAMILTON
SUPERCOMPUTER BOOST
Life might be difficult in F1 for Lewis Hamilton right now, but his hopes of avoiding a wretched season have been boosted by a supercomputer. Hamilton finished sixth in the standings in 2022, his lowest position in all his 16 seasons of competing. And despite a second place finish in Australia last time out, early indications suggest it will be another long year for the seven-time world champion and his Mercedes team, as they struggle to adapt to F1’s new era.
But the supercomputer prediction from BonusCodeBets, which compiled outright odds markets to formulate what the final standings will look like, has at least backed the iconic driver to improve this year. He’s been tipped to finish in fourth place, exacting revenge on teammate George Russell who bettered him last season.
Russell is predicted to be fifth. There are no surprises over the three drivers ahead of them though, with Red Bull driver Max Verstappen the 1/9 favourite to win his third consecutive title. Teammate Sergio Perez comes next at 12/1, while Fernando Alonso’s early season form with Aston Martin has him placed third at 18/1.
Published on the 96th Edition
