Johannesburg – Hekkie “Hexecutioner” Budler won his WBA and IBO title defence against fellow South African Simpiwe “Chain Reaction” Khonco in the feature bout of Golden Gloves’ “Uncivil War” tournament at Emperors Palace here on Saturday night.
The three judges scored the bout: Jean Louis Legland (France) 117-111, Juan Manuel Garcia Reyes (Spain) 115-113 and Leszek Jankowiak (Poland) 116-112.
Many ringsiders won’t agree with bigger scoring margins because during the first half of the bout, Budler seemed to be taking a back seat.
The first round was not a matter of feel ’em out as Budler took the initiative with attacks to the body. It stung Khonco into action with counter-attack mode and by the end of the round, Budler managed to land shots which would have given him the edge at this early stage.
Khonco inflicted some damage in the second when he caught Budler with a right hook to the side of the head, opening a cut close to the champion’s eye. The cut seemed to lift Khonco’s game and Budler’s work-rate seemed to ease.
Budler seemed far more patient in rounds three and four, content to let Khonco dictate the pace of the fight. Budler, though, may have been troubled by the blood streaming down his face from the wound below his left eye.
In round five, Budler stepped up the pace.
He finished the round strongly as he unleashed a flurry of punches at a time when Khonco was backing off onto the ropes.
By the end of round six, it was not clear who was leading on points, but Budler was looking decidedly worse for wear.
In round seven, easily Bulder’s best up to this stage, saw Khonco taking a fair number of shots to the head and the body, but he braved the onslaught without looking like he could succumb.
Budler worked hard to continue where he left off when round eight began, but Khonco offered far more resistance.
In round nine, Budler threw caution to the wind sporadically by launching an all-out attack but Khonco’s lateral movement kept him out of harm’s way.
Round 10 came and went, but neither showed any signs of fatigue. Budler dictated in this round, but he failed to inflict damage as Khonco’s defence stood firm.
Towards the end of round 11 Budler seemed to have Khonco in trouble, and he did well to land shots alternating between head and body.
Most of round 12 looked like a slugfest with Budler on top for most of the way, and it would have left a good taste in the mouths of his fans.
– ANA