It’s the end of an era as South Africa’s most decorated boxer Hekkie ‘Hexecutioner’ Budler has retired from the fistic sport.
In a professional career spanning almost two decades, Budler was a shining light for South African boxing, winning six world titles plus a Ring Magazine belt.
Budler, who turns 36 in May this year, never looked back since he recorded a first round technical knockout victory over Michael Sediane in his professional debut in July 2007.
“Yes, Hex has retired,” Budler’s trainer Colin ‘Nomakanjani’ Nathan, who has worked with the former world champion for almost 20 years, confirmed.
The pint sized Budler travelled beyond the borders of South Africa in search of glory and came back home victorious. Budler left the fistic sport having registered 35 wins (11 knockouts) and five defeats.
That he won world titles in both the minimumweight and junior-flyweight divisions is testament to Budler’s durability inside the ring.
Budler hung up his gloves having won the World Boxing Association (WBA) minumumweight, International Boxing Organisation (IBO) minimumweight, IBO junior-flyweight (twice), WBA ‘Super’ and International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior-flyweight titles.
