Loss dents Siyo’s world title hopes
Budler bout exposes East Londoner’s shortcomings
DUNCAN Village boxer Siyabonga Siyo will have to go back to the drawing board before he could come closer to fighting for a world title again.
This became evident after Siyo lost a points decision to Hekkie Budler in a WBA Pan African mini-flyweight title clash at Emperor Palace at the weekend.
Going to the fight, Siyo was coming off another loss to Budler’s stablemate Simpiwe Konkco who accompanied the “Hexecutioner” on his way to the ring.
Having vowed to make the best of the opportunity of being granted another big fight despite coming off a loss, Siyo hardly displayed any urgency to back up his bold predictions.
While he shaded the first two rounds, Siyo’s offence gradually ebbed as the rounds progressed as he returned to survival mode.
With his corner manned by former world champion Welcome Ncita who had promised to urge the boxer to be aggressive, Siyo hardly charged at the former three-time world champion.
This even though Budler did not look his best either as he appeared lethargic with no upper body movement.
Instead it was Siyo who was nearly stopped in the third round when he was wobbled by a right hand and spent the round holding on for dear life.
Budler’s burst appeared to have taken the wind out of the sails of the Duncan Village boxer as he seemed ready to capitulate every time the Gauteng boxer upped the tempo.
But if there is anything the fight proved for Siyo it was his ability to slip into survival mode even though he still needs to perfect the clinching strategy of locking his opponent’s arms into his to avoid being hit with rabbit punches.
These punches are often cited as the root cause for brain damage among boxers.
Like he did in the Konkco fight, Siyo only started to come back in the middle rounds especially in the eighth round where he clearly controlled the fight.
The “Smiling Assassin” suddenly planted his feet and refused to back pedal as he rocked Budler with sneaky right hands.
Siyo carried his newfound success into the next round but then an old habit kicked in again as he fought on the back foot.
Budler upped the tempo in the last two rounds as he poured it on, while Siyo hardly landed a punch as he concentrated all his energy on surviving.
One judge had him losing by 118-110 while two others scored the fight 116-112.
In other bouts, SA boxer Kevin Lerena scored a points win over previously unbeaten Dane Micki Nielsen to lift the Cruiserweight Super Four title.
Chris van Heerden returned to the SA ring for the first time in two years to outslug Namibian Sacky Shikukutu to win the WBA Pan African welterweight title.