Budler Upsets Taguchi To Claims Light Flywieght Titles In Tokyo

Hekkie Budler scored a razer thin upset win over Ryoichi Taguchi on Sunday to claim the Japanese fighter’s WBA and IBF light flyweight titles in Tokyo, Japan.

Budler, 32-3-(10), was judges the winner on all three judges cards by scores of 114-113.

Taguchi, who was making the eighth defense of the WBA title, started slow against the more mobile and fast punching Budler upped the pace around the sixth round but Budler also stepped up the pace in a bid to maintain his lead.

Taguchi, sensing the fight and his titles were slipping away, rallied in the final session and decked Dudler with a left hook but the referee called it as a slip, which ultimately may have cost Taguchi his titles.

Taguchi, gracefully accepted his defeat, saying: “I admit I wasn’t sharp as usual. Budler deserved a victory even if it was so close.”