Budler crowned IBO light-flyweight champ

They clashed in the ring as part of the Thunder & Lightning Box and Dine, hosted by Golden Gloves.

Budler has been South Africa’s most prolific champion of recent years.

It was Budler’s 15th championship fight, and despite a few scares along the way, he simply overwhelmed the Filipino.

In an all-action fight, Budler and Canoy let the leather fly early and often.

Budler took a while to get into his stride after an awkward first three rounds, when he copped a lot of punches due to an inability to find his range.

The South African settled down quickly to gradually break Canoy down with a withering attack.

Despite suffering a bad cut above his right eye, Budler increased the pressure through the seventh and put Canoy over for an eight-count.

He subsequently rained a volley of punches down on the southpaw, until Canoy’s corner decided to rescue him from an inevitable further pounding.

Popular cruiserweight Kevin Lerena also continued his fine run of form with a fifth-round stoppage of Vikapita Meroro.

The Namibian had only ever been stopped once before in 35 fights, so it was tribute to Lerena’s relentless style that he managed to make Meroro quit, which he did by meekly raising his arms in surrender.

Earlier, Ryno Liebenberg’s promise of avenging last year’s defeat to Germany’s Enrico Koelling came to nought as he dropped a unanimous 10-round decision in a light-heavyweight clash.

Judge David Ingram of Australia scored it 96-94, Joerge Milke of Holland had it 97-93 and SA official Thabo Spampoel had it 96-94.

In the show opener, light-heavyweight prospect Rowan Campbell blew away debutant Fhulufhelo Ramaliba in the first round.

He won by knockout in the first round in the light-heavyweight division.

In the other result of the evening, Thulani Mbenge beat Ntuthuko Memela by TKO in the third round in the welterweight.