Budler is a fighter but reckless, says former foe Canoy

FOR EX-WORLD title challenger Joey Canoy, reigning International Boxing Organization (IBO) world light flyweight champion Hekkie “Hexecutioner” Budler is the perfect prey for IBF world light flyweight champion Milan “El Metodico” Melindo.

Canoy (13-3-1, 6KOs) fought Budler for the IBO World Light Flyweight title last year in Gauteng, South Africa, where he lost via an eighth-round technical knockout (TKO).

Having faced Budler already, Canoy knows some of the South African champion’s weaknesses. And this might be helpful for Melindo (36-2-0, 13KOs), who will take on Budler in the Pinoy Pride 42 fight card on Sept. 16 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

“He is a fighter, but I think he is very reckless, he doesn’t care if he gets hit,” said Canoy, who recently defeated Melindo’s stablemate, Melvin Jerusalem, via unanimous decision last July 8 in the undercard of Pinoy Pride 41 at the IEC Convention Center in Cebu City.

Budler has a record of 31 wins but only 10 is from knockouts. He lost only once and has no draws. He is a former WBA and IBO minimum weight world champion.

Still, Canoy believes Melindo has a better chance of coming out victorious.

“In terms of skills, Budler is very far from Milan. I think Milan can knock out Budler,” Canoy said. “But he must not be complacent because Budler didn’t become a world champion for nothing.”

This will be the first title defense for Melindo after winning the IBF world title last May in Japan by dethroning the erstwhile champion Akira Yaegashi in a stunning first round TKO victory.

Both Melindo and Budler are 29 years old.

Canoy said he was in tip-top shape heading to his fight against Budler last year. One reason he lost, according to him, was because he was not able to adjust to the cold climate of South Africa. He said Budler may be facing the same dilemma this time around, as he has to adjust with the warm climate in the Philippines.