TRAINER COLIN NATHAN predicted a blue ribbon performance from Hekkie "Hexecutioner" Budler against Juanito Rubillar at Emperors Palace on February 27.
Budler, 21, with 13 wins from as many fights, will take on the vastly experienced 32-year-old Filipino southpaw who boasts 48 wins (23 KOs) against 13 losses and seven draws.
Their 12 rounder will be for the vacant IBO junior flyweight belt. It will be the main bout in Golden Gloves' six-bout programme which was been dubbed "Prelude".
Nathan acknowledged the mammoth task ahead but said his charge, the whirlwind performer, will conquer purely because of his superb preparation that included hiring Easten Cape left-handed fighter Bongani Mfundisi to assist Budler.
"We left no stone unturned," Nathan said. "Hekkie is in splendid physical condition. I expect him to rise to the occasion. Hekkie will put a performance that will make people go wow afterwards."
Budler has stopped only five of his victims, and his fans must not expect another short-route win.
"There are no plans for that," Nathan said. "Our plan is to win on points." Top boxing analyst Terry "Terrible Terence" Pettifer warned that Budler must never undermine Rubillar who has regularly swapped leather with the crème de la crème of the junior flyweight ranks.
The list includes Zolani Petelo, who outpointed Rubillar for the IBF mini flyweight belt in the UK on December 3 1999.
Rubillar is currently rated sixth by the WBC while Budler, the current IBO Africa title- holder, is yet to convince top boxing bodies' rating committees.
showstopper
TRAINER COLIN NATHAN predicted a blue ribbon performance from Hekkie "Hexecutioner" Budler against Juanito Rubillar at Emperors Palace on February 27.
Budler, 21, with 13 wins from as many fights, will take on the vastly experienced 32-year-old Filipino southpaw who boasts 48 wins (23 KOs) against 13 losses and seven draws.
Their 12 rounder will be for the vacant IBO junior flyweight belt. It will be the main bout in Golden Gloves' six-bout programme which was been dubbed "Prelude".
Nathan acknowledged the mammoth task ahead but said his charge, the whirlwind performer, will conquer purely because of his superb preparation that included hiring Easten Cape left-handed fighter Bongani Mfundisi to assist Budler.
"We left no stone unturned," Nathan said. "Hekkie is in splendid physical condition. I expect him to rise to the occasion. Hekkie will put a performance that will make people go wow afterwards."
Budler has stopped only five of his victims, and his fans must not expect another short-route win.
"There are no plans for that," Nathan said. "Our plan is to win on points." Top boxing analyst Terry "Terrible Terence" Pettifer warned that Budler must never undermine Rubillar who has regularly swapped leather with the crème de la crème of the junior flyweight ranks.
The list includes Zolani Petelo, who outpointed Rubillar for the IBF mini flyweight belt in the UK on December 3 1999.
Rubillar is currently rated sixth by the WBC while Budler, the current IBO Africa title- holder, is yet to convince top boxing bodies' rating committees.