By Mesuli Zifo
WBA interim minimumweight champion Hekkie Budler has requested the WBA to elevate him into the full champion status after the WBA title was recently relinquished by Japanese Ryo Miyazaki.
However there has been no word from the WBA on whether it will consider Budler's request or two boxers will be selected to fight for the vacant crown.
Budler's manager Colin Nathan says he has already contacted the WBA regarding elevating the diminutive boxer from South Africa into a full champion.
“Rodney (Berman, Budler's promoter) and I have been talking to the WBA and we are waiting a word from them on what they intend to do with the minimumweight title,” he said.
“But we expect Budler to be installed as a full champion now that Miyazaki has vacated.”
Budler won the interim belt when he destroyed over-matched Argentinian Hugo Verchelli in four one sided rounds in SA this past November.
He already holds the IBO title which he has defended four times including a win over his highly regarded compatriot Nkosinathi Joyi.
The 25-year-old is rated as the best minimumweight boxer in the world by some publications and his elevation into the full WBA champion will set in motion his goals of unifying the titles in the division.