Boxing | South Africa
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Hekkie Budler stopped Hugo Verchelli in the fourth round to retain his IBO strawweight title at Emperors Palace on Saturday night.
It was the “Hexecutioner” of old as Budler knocked the Argentinian down three times before referee Stan Christodoulou stopped the bout with 31 seconds left in the round.
Budler, sporting bright blue hair for a change, used the old buzzsaw tactics that had made him such a popular fighter at the venue near Kempton Park, east of Johannesburg.
He took charge in the first round and just when it seemed Verchelli was getting into the action he mowed him down with a two-fisted attack.
The challenger was not one of the best boxers Budler had fought, but there was no doubting the South African’s intent. He was all aggression; hungry for another impressive victory.
Making the fourth defence of his belt against an opponent ranked No 8 by the WBA but 28th by the IBO, Budler gave the spectators what they had not seen earlier when Tommy Oosthuizen beat Ezequiel Maderna in the other big bout on the Golden Gloves Promotions bill.
Budler, 25 also claimed the WBA’s interim minimumweight belt as he improved his professional record to 25-1, with seven wins inside the distance.
Trained by Colin Nathan, Budler had also showed good form in his two previous fights this year. He beat Filipino Renan Tronco and upset the highly rated Nkosinathi Joyi.
Verchelli has been a professional for only two years and his lack of big-match experience showed. His record dropped to 11-2, with six wins inside the distance. It was his first fight outside Argentina.
Other results: Junior lightweight: Koos Sibiya beat Thembani Hocomyane on points over ten rounds.
Junior welterweight: Adam de Moor stopped Nkosinathi Tshinavhe in the first round.
Junior flyweight: Thabiso Moorosi and Thabang Ramagole drew over six rounds.
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