It’s not for nothing that Hekkie Budler is known as one of the hardest trainers in South African boxing.
The former IBO and WBA strawweight champion is five weeks away from his next title shot, a crack at the Philippines’ Joey Canoy for the light-flyweight belt, and he is leaving nothing to chance over the festive season. “There’s only one way – work, work work,” he said from Colin Nathan’s HotBox gym in Glenhazel on Wednesday afternoon.
Budler is still in the conditioning phase of his build-up, but already looks sharp and strong. At age 28 he feels he is in his prime and is determined to reclaim his status as the number one fighter in his weight class.
“That’s what we’re working towards,” said Nathan. “Everything we do is with the aim of getting Hekkie back to where he belongs: on top.”
