Budler title loss a blow to local boxing

WITH Hekkie Budler losing his WBA belt on the last day of 2018, in Macao, China, there are now only currently seven South African world champions, with Zolani Tete (WBO) and Moruti Mthalane (IBF) the only South Africa fighters to hold a belt from one of the major organisations.

The other belt holders are IBO, Kevin Lerena (cruiserweight), Thulani Mbenge (welterweight), Gideon Buthelezi (super-flyweight), Simpiwe Konkco (minimumweight) and WBU, Xolisani Ndongeni (lightweight).

Many local fighters have held titles from one or other of the WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF organisations.

From January 2011 to December 2017, South African fighters made claim to 39 world titles.

Of these 39 world titles only the undermentioned were for one of the major organizations.

Takalani Ndlovu (IBF junior-featherweight), Jeffrey Mathebula (IBF junior-featherweight), Simphiwe Vetyeka (WBA featherweight), Hekkie Budler (elevated to WBA “super” minimumweight champion, May 20, 2018 and won WBA, IBF and The Ring magazine light-flyweight belts, and elevated to WBA “super” light-flyweight champion), Zolani Tete (wins interim WBO bantamweight title and then elevated to full champion on April 26, 2017).

The local promoters, unfortunately, cannot stage title fights in South Africa involving the WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF due to the high cost of these titles and also the cost of importing top rated world fighters to South Africa, because of the rand value against the dollar and the pound. | ANA