The most successful boxer to come out of South Africa Hekkie ‘Hexecutioner’ Budler is determined to return home victorious after his fight against Mexican Elwin ‘La Pulga’ Soto.
Budler clashes with Soto in a World Boxing Council (WBC) junior-flyweight elimination bout at Palenque Fex, Mexicali, Baja California on Saturday (Sunday morning, South African time).
“It’s been going well. I have been feeling good. I can’t wait for the day of the fight,” the 34-year-old Budler said from Mexico.
Budler and his team were met with different weather conditions when they landed in Mexico last weekend. But the Hot Box Gym boxer is not concerned about the Mexican conditions as he wants to win his upcoming fight.
“It’s hot here. However, I don’t think the heat is going to have a negative impact on me during the fight,” the former Ring Magazine champion said.
Budler has thanked his stablemates DeeJay Kriel and Simphiwe Konkco for sparring with him while preparing for this fight. In fact, former International Boxing Federation (IBF) minimumweight champion Kriel is in Mexico together with Budler.
“DeeJay and Konkco have given me good sparring sessions. They are great guys and have been brilliant. They have helped me,” the WBC Silver junior-flyweight champion said.
The winner of this bout is going to challenge current WBC junior-flyweight titlist Kenshiro ‘The Amazing Boy’s Teraji from Japan.
Teraji reclaimed the WBC title when he stopped his compatriot Masamichi Yabuki in the third round during their rematch three months ago. This was after Yabuki had stunned Teraji with a 10th round stoppage in September last year.
Meanwhile, Budler and his adversary are going to meet for the first time when they come face-to-face at a press conference on Thursday.
