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Matlala to roped in to sharpen Budler

FOUR-time world champion, in two different weight divisions, Jacob "Baby Jake" Matlala, has been roped into the HotBox Gym of trainer Collin Nathan.

FOUR-time world champion, in two different weight divisions, Jacob "Baby Jake" Matlala, has been roped into the HotBox Gym of trainer Collin Nathan.

Matlala, 42, won the IBA and WBO belts in the junior flyweight and the WBO and WBU in the flyweight.

He will impart his knowledge of the fistic sport with Nathan's charge, Hekkie "Hexecutioner" Budler before the fighter takes on the vastly experienced Filipino Jaunito Rubillar on February 27 for the IBO junior flyweight belt, a world title bout, at Emperors Palace.

Budler is the explosive 21-year-old IBO Africa junior flyweight champion.

"I will be giving him tips before the fight but I will not be involved with actual training. I will run with him at times," Matlala said.

Matlala said he did not have any problem when Nathan and promoter Rodney Berman approached him.

"No contracts have been discussed but that is not a problem at all."

According to Golden Gloves publicist, Terry Pettifer, Budler is determined to emulate Vic Toweel's feat of winning a world championship in only his 14th professional fight.

Budler, is undefeated after 13 fights, with only five KOs.

He will have a mammoth task of overcoming Rubillar, the vastly-experienced Filipino who boasts 48 wins (23 KOs) against 13 losses and seven draws.

Rubillar, 36, is the former WBC International light flyweight and flyweight holder. He was defeated by Zolani Petelo for the IBF minimum weight title in the UK on December 3 1999.

Berman is well aware that Budler is facing a Herculean task in Rubillar. But Berman stressed that "there comes a time in a boxer's life to be tested by the world's best in the sport".

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