Hekkie Budler

Hector "Hekkie" Budler (born 18 May 1988) is a South African professional boxer.

Budler was scheduled to fight Juanito Rubillar for the vacant IBO light-flyweight title on February 27, 2010, at the Emperors Palace in Kempton Park.

He won the closely contested fight by majority decision.

Judges Lulama Mtya and Deon Dwarte scored the fight 117-113 and 115-113 for Budler, while judge Isaac Tshabalala scored the fight as a 114–114 draw.

The close nature of their first meeting prompted IBO to scheduled the rematch between Budler and Rubillar as Budler's first title defense.

The bout was scheduled for August 14, 2010 at the Emperors Palace in Kempton Park.

Notably, only one South African was named for the three-man panel that would judge the rematch.

Budler was once again victorious, as he was awarded the split decision.

Two of the judges scored the fight 115-113 and 116-111 for Budler, while the third judge scored the fight 114-113 for Rubillar.

Rubbilar was penalized a point in the sixth round for a low blow and was warned about a possible disqualification for low blows in the eight round.

From that point onward, Budlar began to take over the fight and won the last three rounds.

Budler was scheduled to face Evaristo Primero in a non-title bout on August 14, 2010, at the Sames Auto Arena in Laredo, Texas.

The fight was Budler's first in United States and was the first time that one of his bouts was televised in the United States.

Budler failed to impress in the fight, although he won by split decision, with scores of 96–94, 98-92 and 93–97.

He has held world championships in two weight classes, including the World Boxing Association (WBA) and International Boxing Organization (IBO) minimumweight titles between 2011 and 2016, and the unified WBA (Super), International Boxing Federation (IBF), and Ring magazine light-flyweight titles in 2018.

Budler was scheduled to make the second defense of his title against the former IBO minimumweight champion Gideon Buthelezi on January 27, 2011, at the Emperors Palace in Kempton Park.

Budler lost the fight by split decision.

One judge scored the fight 117-113 for Budler, while the remaining two judges scored it 118-114 and 115-113 for Buthelezi.

After losing his IBO light flyweight title, Budler moved down in weight to minimumweight.

For his first fight in a new weight class, Budler was scheduled to face the journeyman Luyanda Nkwankwa on May 29, 2011.

He won the fight by a fourth-round knockout.

Budler was scheduled to fight Michael Landero for the vacant IBO minimumweight title on September 24, 2011.

He won the fight by a unanimous decision.

Budler was scheduled to face Shamila Kortman in a non-title bout on March 26, 2012.

He won the eight round bout by unanimous decision, with two judges awarding him almost every round of the fight (79-74 and 78–74), while the third judge scored it as a surprising 79–78.

Bulder once again failed to impress against over-matched opposition, with one outlet stating that "neither fighter showed any decent boxing skills".

Budler was scheduled to make his first title defense against the former IBF Minimumweight World Champion Florante Condes on September 22, 2012.

He won the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 116–112, 118-110 and 115–113.

Budler spent the majority of the fight on the backfoot, scoring points with straight pushes, while Condes was unable to successfully pressure the champion.

Budler was scheduled to face Renan Trongco in his second IBO minimumweight title defense on February 16, 2013.

Trongco stepped in as a short notice replacement Merlito Sabillo, who withdrew from the bout with a hand injury.

Budler won the fight by a wide unanimous decision, with two judges scoring the fight 117–111, while the third judge scored it 118–110.

Budler was scheduled to fight the former IBF and IBO mini flyweight champion Nkosinathi Joyi on June 15, 2013.

He won the fight by split decision, outscoring his fellow South African on two of the judges scorecards.

Judge Tony Nyangiwe awarded him a 115-113 scorecard, judge Reg Thomson awarded him a 116-113 scorecard, while the judge Arthur Ellensohn scored the fight 116-112 for Joyi.

Budler was scheduled to face Hugo Hernan Verchelli on November 9, 2013.

The fight was simultaneously a fight for the vacant WBA interim minimumweight title, as well as an IBO minimumweight title defense.

Budler won the fight by a fourth-round stoppage.

He knocked Verchelli down three times before the 2:30 minute mark: the first time with a left hook, the second and third time with a body shot.

Budler was scheduled to fight Karluis Diaz for the IBO minimumweight and vacant WBA minimumweight title on March 1, 2014.