The fight between IBO light flyweight world champion Hekkie “Hexecutioner” Budler and IBF light flyweight champion Milan ‘El Metodico’ Melindo will push through.
This was what ALA Promotions International president Michael Aldeguer assured to boxing fans after news came out of Budler’s promoter Rodney Berman threatening to pull out from the Pinoy Pride 42: Clash For Glory fight card.
The fight is set on Sept. 16 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
“This issue has been addressed already,” Aldeguer told Cebu Daily News via text message. “I was surprised because it’s a small issue that we go through all the time.”
An article from a local newspaper in South Africa said that Berman was on the verge of pulling out Budler (31-2- 0, 10KOs) out of his IBF light flyweight title shot against Melindo (36-2-0, 13KOs) because they were placed in an “obscure hotel without a gym in close proximity.” The report also said they had “to navigate Cebu by taxi.”
However, Aldeguer said that they already settled the issue.
“We have been in the boxing business for the last 25 years and worked with Top Rank and Golden Boy and other well known promoters around the world, but this is the first time we encountered a very small issue like this that went to the media.”
This will be the first time Melindo will defend his title after winning against Akira Yaegashi last May 21 in Tokyo, Japan, via a first round technical knockout.
Budler is a former WBA and IBO minimum weight world champion and the current IBO light flyweight champion.