Golden Gloves Promotions boss Rodney Berman says he will convince the hierarchy of the WBA in its annual convention in Peru to elevate Hekkie Budler to the status of "Super" champion.
The bigger picture, says Berman, is for Budler to vacate the regular WBA strawweight belt so that Simpiwe Khonco challenges for the interim title. But that will depend on how Berman sells his proposal to WBA president Gilberto Mendoza in Peru.
"I had requested for Hekkie to make a voluntary defence but it was turned down by the WBA. I had hoped to squeeze it in [in] Monaco, but the WBA insisted that Hekkie must first fulfil his mandatory defence against Thailand's Thammanoon Niyomtrong - a bout that now looks likely for February," explained Berman yesterday.
"That is why I want to petition the WBA during the convention in December for Budler to be accorded Super champions status. One of the requirements is for a champion to have made five defences."
The tiny fighter won the interim title against Hugo Verchelli (TKO in four) at Emperors Palace in 2013, and was awarded the vacant regular WBA belt after his fight against Karluis Diaz (KO in one) in Kempton Park on March 1. Budler subsequently made defences against Pigmy Kokietgym (KO in eight), Chao Zhong Xiong, Jesus Silvestre and Khonco (all on points).
"Hekkie has been a proud champion of the WBA," said Berman. "If he is not a super champion, then I don't know." If Berman gets his way, he will push for Khonco to challenge for the interim title given that the interim champion will contest the regular belt that will have been vacated by Budler.
"The WBA justifies this scenario on the basis that it was created for those champions who hold the titles of two or more organisations recognised by the WBA," he said. Budler also holds the IBO strap which he has defended nine times.
Berman said the creation of the category of super champions was born of a suggestion by former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis to give unified champions flexible time to defend their titles as well as the challengers the chance to fight for the title.
Is Budler super champ material?
Golden Gloves Promotions boss Rodney Berman says he will convince the hierarchy of the WBA in its annual convention in Peru to elevate Hekkie Budler to the status of "Super" champion.
The bigger picture, says Berman, is for Budler to vacate the regular WBA strawweight belt so that Simpiwe Khonco challenges for the interim title. But that will depend on how Berman sells his proposal to WBA president Gilberto Mendoza in Peru.
"I had requested for Hekkie to make a voluntary defence but it was turned down by the WBA. I had hoped to squeeze it in [in] Monaco, but the WBA insisted that Hekkie must first fulfil his mandatory defence against Thailand's Thammanoon Niyomtrong - a bout that now looks likely for February," explained Berman yesterday.
"That is why I want to petition the WBA during the convention in December for Budler to be accorded Super champions status. One of the requirements is for a champion to have made five defences."
The tiny fighter won the interim title against Hugo Verchelli (TKO in four) at Emperors Palace in 2013, and was awarded the vacant regular WBA belt after his fight against Karluis Diaz (KO in one) in Kempton Park on March 1. Budler subsequently made defences against Pigmy Kokietgym (KO in eight), Chao Zhong Xiong, Jesus Silvestre and Khonco (all on points).
"Hekkie has been a proud champion of the WBA," said Berman. "If he is not a super champion, then I don't know." If Berman gets his way, he will push for Khonco to challenge for the interim title given that the interim champion will contest the regular belt that will have been vacated by Budler.
"The WBA justifies this scenario on the basis that it was created for those champions who hold the titles of two or more organisations recognised by the WBA," he said. Budler also holds the IBO strap which he has defended nine times.
Berman said the creation of the category of super champions was born of a suggestion by former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis to give unified champions flexible time to defend their titles as well as the challengers the chance to fight for the title.
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