by Ronnie Nathanielsz
Renan Trongco, the 26 year old southpaw from Palawan, gets a crack at IBO minimumweight champion Hekkie Budler of South Africa at the Emperor’s Palace in Gauteng, South Africa on February 16.
Budler won the vacant title with a twelve round unanimous decision over another Filipino, Michael Landero on September 24, 2011 and successfully defended the title against former IBF minimumweight champion Florante Condes on September 22 last year also in South Africa.
The 24 year old Budler has a record of 21-1 with 6 knockouts while Trongco is a 24 year old southpaw with a record of 12-3 with 8 knockouts.
Trongco won the WBC Youth Interim light flyweight title with a 2nd round knockout of Thailand’s Sirisak Sitjarem on October 29, 2011 and successfully defended the title with a ten round split decision over Lionel Legada last October 28.
Trongco stepped in as a substitute for Philippine champion Merlito Sabillo who hurt his hand and had to pull out of the title fight.
Trongco who was preparing for another fight got the break and is reportedly ready to take on Budler.He is scheduled to leave for South Africa on February 9 along with trainers William Develos and Roland Angel.
