KYOGUCHI STOPS BUDLER, WRESTS WBA LIGHTFLY CROWN
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 31 Dec 2018
MACAU ? Japan's Hir?to 'Mad Boy' Kyoguchi dominated defending champion Hekkie Budler of South Africa en route to a 10th round stoppage to capture the WBA super world light flyweight crown at the Grand Theater of Macacu Palace Cotai here Monday afternoon.
Budler scored with combinations early in the fight but it was apparent Kyoguchi was the stronger fighter whose punches were more heavier than Budler. Budler made the contest close in the first six rounds but Kyoguchi began to dominate starting the seventh round when his left uppercuts found a home at Budler's head. The telling 7th round also saw Kyoguchi connected with with heavy rights. In the eight round, Budler tried to adjust by not mixing it up and threw his combinations in batches but Kyoguchi still found a way to connect with his uppercuts. In the 9th round, Kyoguchi bloodied the nose of Budler who visibly now appeared weak. Kyoguchi kept the pressure in the 10th round inflicting a cut on Budler's right eyebrow as the South African tried to survive the Japanese's onslaught. Budler's corner later signaled surrender and did not allow the now former champion to get back into the fight after the end of the 10th round for a TKO win for Taguchi. Judges scores: 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94 all in favor of Kyoguchi. Philoxing had it 97-93 for Kyoguchi.
Next up... Moruti Mthalane vs Masahiro Sakamoto for Mthalane's IBF world flyweight crown.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Herlan Gomez Departs for Australia for Moloney Fight Saturday on DAZN
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 04 Dec 2025KENNETH LLOVER DEFENDS OPBF TITLE IN FOURTH FIGHT OF 2025
Thu, 04 Dec 2025Canoy, Mama, Into Contend in IBA Men’s World Boxing Championships in Dubai
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 04 Dec 2025CHAMPIONING MENTAL HEALTH 2: REMATCH SEASON FULL FIGHT CARD SET
Thu, 04 Dec 2025MERRY FISTMAS! World-Ranked KO Artist Ramon Cardenas Faces Erik Robles in ProBoxTV Main Event at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Thursday, December 18
Thu, 04 Dec 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 2 DECEMBER 2025: Kavaliauskas Wins by Split Decision Over Molina; Whittaker Stops Gavazi in 1; Malajika Wins by UD Over Paras
By Eric Armit, Wed, 03 Dec 2025WBC Strips Terence Crawford of Super Middle Title
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 03 Dec 2025Soledad wins WBC Asian Continental title
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 03 Dec 2025A night of power, legacy, and UAE pride: IBA Men’s World Boxing Championships opens in spectacular fashion in Dubai
Wed, 03 Dec 2025OKC Thunder is NBA 2025-2026 Strongest Team
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 03 Dec 2025Who was Clever Sison?
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 03 Dec 2025MATCHROOM BOXING RETURNS TO FONTAINEBLEAU LAS VEGAS WITH MURATALLA-CRUZ FIGHT, JAN. 24, 2026
Wed, 03 Dec 2025TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Undefeated Featherweight Luis Nuñez Prepares for Hector Sosa Showdown on PBC on Prime Video
Wed, 03 Dec 2025Darry Bernardo, 4 other Pinoys in hot start in 3rd Asian Chess Championship 2025 for players with disabilities
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 03 Dec 2025Two Pacquiaos on same card?
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 02 Dec 2025