Budler carrying hopes of the little men
HEKKIE Budler will face his toughest opponent in his professional career when he defends the IBO mini-flyweight crown against hard-hitting Filipino Florante Condes at Emperors Palace on September 22.
The fight is a toss-up that should tell if the 24-year-old Budler is ready for the little big boys of the smallest weight class in boxing and with the possibility of challenging for the prestigious WBC crown looming so large, the clash has all the ingredients of becoming an all-out war.
However, the bout is sandwiched between two semi-finals of the vaunted Nashua Cruiserweight Super 8 Series and as it is the norm in boxing, bigger guys get all the attention while little boxers who exhibit the art of boxing are often ignored.
In the first semi-final, Budler’s stablemate, Zack Mwekassa, comes up against Danie Venter while the second tie will see Flo Simba and Thabiso Mchunu resume their rivalry following the controversial ending of their first fight in June. But it is the battle of the little men that will produce fireworks in vintage bouts featuring Budler.
And with the wild swinging Condes, who possesses knockout prowess in the mini-flyweight division, the clash is expected to feature back-and-forth action with the boxer made of sterner stuff prevailing.
Budler’s trainer, Colin Nathan, is aware of the potential war awaiting his fighter and the ramification a win will have on him. And with the country’s pound for pound star Nkosinathi Joyi having been shocked with a seventh round stoppage defeat in Mexico when he surrendered his IBF mini-flyweight title to Mario Rodriguez recently, Budler has now found himself with added pressure to maintain the dominance of the local fighters in the smallest boxing division.
“We know that the eyes of boxing fans are on us now that Joyi has been upset in Mexico. We are ready to defend the reputation of the nation as one of the best mini-flyweight producing countries in the world,” Nathan said.
Ironically, Budler was calling out Joyi before this fight was consummated, but the deep rivalry between the two boxers’ promoters meant such a local shoot-out would only remain a dream.
Nathan admits that it is a bit odd that Budler is now fighting to redeem the mini-flyweight division in the country after Joyi’s loss.
“Boxing is a funny business but we are not taking pleasure in Joyi’s situation. In fact, I believe Joyi is still one of the best mini-flyweight fighters in the world.”
However, comparisons will still be drawn, especially as Condes once lost a spirited decision to Joyi in an IBF title eliminator way back in 2009.
While the Filipino has been blighted by inactivity since that fight, having fought just three times – and at 31, might be long in the tooth – Budler will still be measured on how he does against the southpaw former IBF champion.
Nathan says Budler (20-1, 6 KOs) is ready to carry the baton of being the best in the division.
“I think Budler is at his peak now and this Condes fight is just the perfect opportunity to show the world what he is made of.”