Budler WBA champ at last

Sanity has prevailed, with the WBA finally recognising Hekkie Budler as its minimum weight world boxing champion after Riyo Miyazaki relinquished the title to move up a division last month.

Budler became the interim champion by stopping Hugo Verchelli in the fourth round at Emperors Palace on November 9 last year.

WBA rules stipulate that if any of its champions vacates or relinquishes his title, the interim belt-holder automatically gets elevated to champion.

When Miyazaki vacated his belt, Budler's promoter, Rodney Berman, wrote to the WBA requesting that his fighter - the current IBO holder - be recognised as champion.

The Venezuela-based sanctioning body responded positively on Wednesday night.

Budler, 25, whose career is guided by Colin Nathan, becomes South Africa's second current dual world champion. The other is Simpiwe Vetyeka, who holds the IBO and WBA Super featherweight titles.

Budler joins a proud line of South Africans to hold WBA titles including Gerrie Coetzee, Piet Crouws, Peter Mathebula, Brian Mitchell and Dingaan Thobela.

Mitchell, now fight publicist for Golden Gloves, was delighted.

"What a way to start the year," said Mitchell yesterday. "This is a great victory for South African boxing."

Vetyeka became South Africa's first WBA Super champion by stopping Chris John in six rounds in Australia late last year.

John, the Indonesian boxing legend, was bidding for his 19th title defence. He retired before the seventh round, having been down twice in round six.

John, who tasted defeats after being undefeated in 51 fights, later hung up his gloves.

Mitchell, who retired undefeated as the WBA lightweight champion, said Budler will be in action at Emperors Palace on February 15, but would not divulge more information. "Details will be announced on Tuesday," he said.