Boxing is like a game of chess for trainer Colin Nathan, who believes he has the right moves for Hekkie "Hexecutioner" Budler to put champion Milan Melindo into checkmate and win the IBF junior flyweight title on September 16.
The challenger from Newlands in Johannesburg will face the Filipino in Cebu City, where the champion who won the belt on May 21 is from.
"No matter how many fights he's had, he's never fought anyone like me," warned Melindo.
"I want to advise him not to put his guard down because then I might give him the first KO defeat."
Budler, the current IBO junior flyweight holder, has 31 wins from 33 fights. His three defeats have all been on points.
Nathan said the championship bout is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the former IBO junior flyweight and IBO, WBA and WBA Super mini flyweight holder.
"He will need to bring his A- game, but I am actually the one who must make sure that he delivers a great performance because a good one will not be good enough, especially facing Melindo in his home," he said.
Nathan said after Budler had lost the WBA Super belt to Byron Rojas on March 19 last year, he advised him to move up to the junior flyweight division where he beat Siyabonga Siyo for the WBA Pan African belt in October, before winning the IBO title against Joey Canoy in February this year.
Budler ready to put the moves on Melindo
Boxing is like a game of chess for trainer Colin Nathan, who believes he has the right moves for Hekkie "Hexecutioner" Budler to put champion Milan Melindo into checkmate and win the IBF junior flyweight title on September 16.
The challenger from Newlands in Johannesburg will face the Filipino in Cebu City, where the champion who won the belt on May 21 is from.
"No matter how many fights he's had, he's never fought anyone like me," warned Melindo.
"I want to advise him not to put his guard down because then I might give him the first KO defeat."
Budler, the current IBO junior flyweight holder, has 31 wins from 33 fights. His three defeats have all been on points.
Nathan said the championship bout is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the former IBO junior flyweight and IBO, WBA and WBA Super mini flyweight holder.
"He will need to bring his A- game, but I am actually the one who must make sure that he delivers a great performance because a good one will not be good enough, especially facing Melindo in his home," he said.
Nathan said after Budler had lost the WBA Super belt to Byron Rojas on March 19 last year, he advised him to move up to the junior flyweight division where he beat Siyabonga Siyo for the WBA Pan African belt in October, before winning the IBO title against Joey Canoy in February this year.