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he earned it

BIG HEART: IBO junior flyweight champion Hekkie Bulder digs a right uppercut to the face of Juanito Rubillar in their rematch at Emperors Palace on Saturday night. Pic. BAFANA MAHLANGU.06/02/2010. © Sowetan.
BIG HEART: IBO junior flyweight champion Hekkie Bulder digs a right uppercut to the face of Juanito Rubillar in their rematch at Emperors Palace on Saturday night. Pic. BAFANA MAHLANGU.06/02/2010. © Sowetan.

IBO junior flyweight reigning champion Hekkie "Hexecutioner" Budler just managed to erase the loony and undeserved unanimous points decision he earned against Juanito "Royito" Rubillar in February.

IBO junior flyweight reigning champion Hekkie "Hexecutioner" Budler just managed to erase the loony and undeserved unanimous points decision he earned against Juanito "Royito" Rubillar in February.

Budler received a home decision against the Filipino to win the IBO junior flyweight belt in that fight.

But the lion-hearted South African, on Saturday night, did the job by himself and was rightly rewarded the verdict although it was a split points decision.

Judges Ace Makaluza of South Africa and Reg Thompson from the UK scored for him with 115-113 and 116-111 score.

American Michael Fitzgerald scored the fight 114-113 for Rubillar.

Rubillar also contributed to Budler's win by constantly hitting below the belt and he was docked a point in round six.

The rematch topped Golden Gloves Promotions' Blockbuster bill at Emperors Palace.

Budler, trained by Collin Nathan, Vusi Mtolo and Benny Pailman, remained undefeated after 16 fights.

But Budler took severe pounding to the body from the Fillipino and it seemed he would not see the last round.

A scary moment came in the fourth round when Rubillar caught him with an uppercut to the body. Budler went down as if castrated.

Referee Andile Matika gave him time to recover. Budler showed big heart and determination and won the encounter.

l Former WBC light heavyweight champion, Isaac "Golden Boy" Chilemba, who made the limit in the super middleweight division in one week, won the IBO belt with a deserved unanimous points decision over Australian Michael Bolling.

l IBO All Africa lightweight champ Jason "Badman" Bedeman and Bongani Dlamini's no-holds-barred fight was the gravest mistake committed by the latter.

Bedeman dropped Dlamini three times in three rounds before he the latter was saved from total destruction by the referee.

l Heavyweight prospect Florante Simba laboured against Elvis Moyo over six rounds to win on points. Simba almost hit the deck in round five. His previous four opponents failed to see the last round.

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