WeeklySA_AdminMEXICAN: Fight against Soto will pave the way to glory
By Pule Mokhine
South Africa’s most accomplished fighter in a small division, Hekkie “Hexecutioner“ Budler will be a fight away from what will be the biggest dream of his boxing career – to have a crack at the World Boxing Council (WBC) title.
This will happen on July 21 when he steps into the ring against Mexican Edwin Soto for the WBC lightweight flyweight title eliminator at Palenque del FEX in Mexico.
Their clash will pave the way for the winner to have a shot at the WBC championship contest that is currently held by Japanese Kenshiro Teraji.
No South African has ever captured the WBC title proper in a lighter weight class. Thu;ani “ Sugarboy: Malinga and Dingaan “ The Rose” Thobela held the WBC crowns in the bigger class as super-middleweights during their careers.
Budler will be eyeing victory over Soto with a great deal enthusiasm to rewrite boxing history by snatching the elusive WBC crown in a small weight category. But this hinges on whether he has what it takes to get past the Mexican who will be fighting before a vociferous home crowd. Talk of making history.
The diminutive Hexectioner is nicknamed as such because of his quick hand speed that has made many opponents hit the canvas . And he also disposes of his foes opponents with great ease. He last competed more than a year ago – May 22, 2021 to be exact- when he slugged it out against Jonathan Almacen and won by unanimous points decision for the WBC Silver light flyweight diadem. That fight happened at Boysens Hall. He hasn’t fought ever since then.
Budler, who has thrown punches competitively since turning professional for 13 years to date, has so far captured the IBO All Africa flyweight , IBO junior flyweight and IBO strawweight belts.
Now he faces the biggest moment of his illustrious boxing career by being a fight away from a big chance to throw leather for the elusive WBC title proper.
The 34 year-old pugilist is so fired up for his upcoming bout that he believes he has done everything there is to do in terms of preparations to slug it out against Soto.
“ I’ve been training very hard for the fight and everything has been going well at the gym so far. Mexicans are generally tough. The fact that I will be fighting away from home before a partisan Mexican crowd means I will have to outdo myself by knocking Soto out,” says Budler.
He admits though that his foe is a strong customer with a reputation of being one of the hardest punchers in this weight class that is generally characterized by smaller boxers.
“The fact that Soto has knocked out 16 of his 18 opponents tells a story that he is a hard hitter. I will be ready for him to prove that I have what it takes to win and go for the big one that is the WBC crown proper,” explains Budler. He was in his element when disposing of Almacen by an emphatic points decision to lift the then vacant WBC Silver lightweight crown in his previous clash.
With a fight resume of 27 victories and four defeats from 31 bouts, Budler wants to see the upcoming clash against Soto done and dusted so as he can fancy himself swimming alongside great sharks as the WBC kingpin.
Most of the best boxers in my weight division are based China and the Philippines. They have not been able to fight for more than a year because of hard lockdowns in their countries fecently. I’m looking forward to exchanging blows against then should I be crowned the new WBC king,” said a confident Budler who is trained by Colin Nathan. It remains to be seen if the Hexecutioner will be able to execute his plan meticulously against Soto to be crowned the new WBC king.
Published on the 52th Edition. Get E-Copy
