Milan Melindo will defend his Junior flyweight title when he faces South African – Hector the “Hexecutioner” Budler in the Phillippines on September 16.
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Melindo
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Name
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Hekkie Bulder
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29
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Age
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29
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Orthodox
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Stance
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Orthodox
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157 CM
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Height
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160 CM
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166 CM
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Reach
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165 CM
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36 (13 KOs)
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Won
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31 (10 KOs)
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2
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Lost
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2
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38
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Total Fights
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33
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To Win Fight
Melindo 6/10 | Draw 22/1 | Hekkie Bulder 12/10
Melindo who’s currently 36 fights, two losses, and 13 KO’s (at a percentage of 34%) will face the eager Budler. The little Filipino scrapper doesn’t possess much power and relies rather on his hand speed and metronomic accuracy. He’ll need to be on song in order to land on Buddler, who is one of the busier fighters in his weight division in terms of footwork and movement.
The South African has an almost identical record to that of Melindo. He has fought 31 professional bouts, winning 31 (10 KOs) and losing two. He also boasts a knockout percentage of 30% – around the average for these much smaller fighters.
Both men come into this bout having won belts in their last fights. Buddler put in a masterful performance against Joey Canoy, which saw the South African claim the vacant IBO World Flyweight Title. Canoy failed to respond to the bell after taking an absolute hammering in the seventh, including a knockdown.
Melindo comes into this fight off an even more dominant display, in which he dropped Akira Yaegashi three times in the first round of their IBF Junior Flyweight title bout in Tokyo. For Melindo, it was his first world title in a 12-year-long career which had seen two previous title shots ending in defeat.
The knockout of his more fancied Japanese opponent sparked rapturous scenes at the Ariake Colosseum. Melindo and his team’s screams of joy could be heard throughout the arena as the Japanese in the stands were stunned into silence.
Hekkie caught the attention of his Melino’s camp after he moved to the Junior Flyweight division and his two consecutive wins landed him an offer with the current title holder.
Verdict: Melindo 6/10
Melindo is favourite for good reason. He’s one of his country’s favourite fighters and will buoyed by the home support. This fight could easily go the distance as both men have a relatively low knockout percentage. Get on Melindo to win at 6/10.
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