By Chris LaBate
At Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, South Africa, IBO strawweight champion Gideon Buthelezi (12-2, 4KOs) won the IBF junior flyweight title with a twelve round split decision over previously undefeated Hekkie Budler (17-1, 5KOs). The scores were 118-114 and 115-113 for Buthelezi and 117-113 for Budler.
Buthelezi struggled to make weight for this contest and was on his bike for nearly the entire contest with Budler in pursuit. The judges were swayed over by Buthelezi counter-punches. He wins five in a row since the knockout loss to Tshepo Lefele in September 2008.
