December 23, 2024

Budler-Kyoguchi, Mthalane-Sakamoto join Ioka-Nietes

TOKYO, JAPAN - MAY 20: Challenger Hekkie Budler (C) of South Africa greets fans with champion Ryoichi Taguchi of Japan after winning the IBF & WBA Light Flyweight Title Bout by a decision at Ota City General Gymnasium on May 20, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images)

Both Budler and Mthalane will be making the first defenses of their current reigns

Photo by Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images

The Macao New Year’s Eve card headlined by Kazuto Ioka vs. Donnie Nietes has gained a damn strong supporting cast in the form of two title fights. Hekkie Budler defends his WBA “Super” light flyweight belt against former minimumwieght champ Hiroto Kyoguchi, while IBF super flyweight champion Moruti Mthalane makes his first title defense against Masahiro Sakamoto.

Budler (32-3, 10 KO) lost his IBF belt to Milan Melindo last year, but won both it and the WBA “Super” title in a grueling battle with Ryoichi Taguchi in May. He ultimately vacated the IBF belt after an underwhelming purse bid for his mandated bout with Felix Alvarado.

Alvarado, incidentally, went on to knock out Randy Petalcorin for the vacant title in October.

Kyoguchi (11-0, 8 KO) made the move from 105 pounds to 108 after two successful defenses of his IBF title, then knocked out unbeaten Indonesian Tibo Monabesa in his divisional debut this past September.

Mthalane (36-2, 24 KO) extended his winning streak to 13 since a loss to Nonito Donaire with a decision over Muhammad Waseem in July, reclaiming his own IBF belt in the process. Sakamoto (13-1, 9 KO) fought Sho Kimura to a majority decision loss in 2016 and has since knocked out five opponents in under six rounds apiece.

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