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Budler to unleash his best

Johannesburg - Reigning IBO mini flyweight champion Hekkie "The Hexecutioner" Budler has hit the ground running, preparing for what seems to be the biggest fight of his boxing career.

"My fans have not yet seen the best of Hekkie Budler and I feel, with time, I still have to reach my peak," Budler said on Thursday.

"I just want to keep on winning and improving."

Budler will fight China's Xiong Zhao Zong for the IBO/ WBC light flyweight unification title with the showdown expected to take place later this year -- with the date and venue still to be announced.

The South African boxing sensation was given the opportunity to unify his IBO crown with the lucrative WBC title after he outclassed the highly-rated and former IBF mini flyweight champion Nkosinathi Joyi.

Driven by a will to rule his division, the boxer from Newlands, Johannesburg, did not take too long a break after his victory against Joyi.

"To be honest, my trainer Colin Nathan wanted me to take a month off training, and just sit back and relax, as we'd had a 10 week long training camp which was exhausting," said Budler on Thursday.

"He wanted me to get my head off boxing."

But, Budler who was ranked third in his division by both WBC and IBF boxing bodies, said he was working around the clock to improve his skill.

The 25-year-old champion said he wanted to be regarded as the best fighter in his division and would do whatever it took to get there.

"I feel that I'm right up there now and fighting in unification fights would help me be the leading mini fly in the world.

"I'm learning all the time and I feel that I am getting better and better with each and every fight."

Promoter Rodney Berman of Golden Gloves wanted to bring the fight to South African shores, but Heckler was willing to fight anywhere in the world.

"There is nothing better than fighting at home in front of your fans, family and friends.

"However boxing, being boxing, this is not always possible.

"I can beat Zong and I believe that.

"In order to be considered the best, you got to beat the best and that's what I am prepared to do.

"I have complete faith in my team and in my ability"

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