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HEKKIE BUDLER VS. JUANITO RUBILLAR HEADLINES CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT CARD AT EMPERORS PALACE IN KEMPTON, SOUTH AFRICA, ON FEBRUARY 27

Rodney Berman’s Golden Gloves and Arthur Pelullo’s Banner Promotions will present a sensational championship fight card on Saturday, February 27, 2010, at Emperors Palace, located at 64 Jones Street in Kempton Park, South Africa. All bouts will be televised live on Supersport starting at 7:00 P.M. (19:00 hrs) local time.

In the main event, Hekkie “The Hex-ecutioner” Budler, 13-0 with 5 knockouts, of Gauteng, South Africa, will face Juanito Rubillar, 48-13-7 with 23 knockouts, of Manila, Philippines, in a 12 round bout for the vacant IBO light-flyweight world title.

The 20 year-old Budler won the IBO All Africa light-flyweight title in April, 2009, and has made two successful title defenses. He made his pro debut in July, 2007, and will be facing his most experienced and accomplished opponent yet in Rubillar.

Rubillar, who will turn 33 years old five days before the fight, has a two-fight winning streak, which includes winning the WBC Continental Americas light-flyweight title in his most recent fight in November, 2009. A 15-year professional veteran, he has also challenged for the WBC and WBA light flyweight world titles.

Former WBO flyweight and light-flyweight champion “Baby” Jake Matlala has been advising Budler during his preparations for the fight. Promoter Rodney Berman told Boxing News, “Jake has been instructing Hekkie to pace himself for a gruelling battle that could conceivably go down to the wire, and I suspect his insight could prove pivotal in this championship fight.”

Six fights are being planned for the card, including:
12 Rounds, Super Middleweights – Vacant WBA Pan African Title
Thomas Oosthuizen, 9-0, 7 KOs, South Africa, vs.
John Chibuta, 8-3, 1 KO, Zambia.

12 Rounds, Bantamweights – Vacant WBA Intercontinental Title
Tshifiwa Munyai, 18-1-1, 9 KOs, South Africa, vs.
Daniel Ferreras, 8-3-1, 3 KOs, Philippines.

12 Rounds, Lightweights – WBA Pan African Title
Champion Jason Bedeman, 10-0-2, 8 KOs, South Africa, vs.
Bilal Mohammad, 14-3, 11 KOs, Ghana.

8 Rounds, Lightweights
Kgotla Baeti, 18-1-1, 15 KOs, Botswana, vs.
Danile Botman, 13-15-1, 3 KOs, South Africa.

4 Rounds, Heavyweights
Flo Simba, 2-0, 2 KOs, South Africa, vs.
Steven Castle, 5-0-2, 2 KOs, South Africa.