Promoter Berman to try WBC route for 'robbed' Hekkie Budler
Image: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images
Promoter Rodney Berman heads to the World Boxing Council (WBC) convention in Azerbaijan on Thursday looking to secure another title crack for Hekkie Budler.
The junior-flyweight‚ who recently lost his bid for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) title under controversial circumstances in the Philippines‚ has also held the World Boxing Association (WBA) and International Boxing Organisation (IBO) straw-weight crowns as well as the IBO junior-flyweight belt.
Budler might have added the IBF strap to his collection had the champion‚ Milan Melindo‚ not received preferential treatment by the referee‚ who allowed his corner to work on a cut above the eye during the round.
The referee was also criticised for ruling a slip by Budler in the last round as a knockdown.
In the end‚ the South African lost by split decision‚ with many local pundits calling it a robbery.
“It wasn’t just a poor refereeing decision‚ it was like everybody contrived against him [Hekkie]‚” said Berman.
“I’m very confident‚ if I can make a good argument‚ I can get him on the [WBC] rankings and then a shot.”
Berman is also looking to get rankings for his welterweight prospect‚ Tulani Mbenge‚ as well as his cruiserweights Kevin Lerena and Thabiso Mchunu.
He would like to get one of them a crack at the WBC Silver belt‚ a stepping stone to the world title.
Only two South African fighters have won WBC world titles over the years‚ Sugarboy Malinga and Dingaan Thobela‚ who both held the organisation’s super-middleweight strap.
The WBC convention begins on Sunday and runs until Friday next week.
- TimesLIVE