The 2017 boxing year is set to get off to a storming start with the announcement, at the Peermont Hotel School, at Emperors Palace recently that three of SA’s top boxers will be in action on the “Thunder & Lightning” Box and Dine bill at the Palace of Dreams on Saturday, February 4. Headlining the tournament will be the 28-year-old Hekkie “The Hexecutioner” Budler (third left) who will take on Joey Canoy of the Philippines for the vacant IBO light-flyweight title while Ryno “The Lion” Liebenberg (left) will have a 10-round light heavyweight rematch against Germany’s Enrico Koelling – who beat him (Liebenberg) with a questionable points decision in October. Winner of the recent “Super 4” Cruiserweight title at Emperors Palace, Kevin “The KO Kid” Lerena (third right) will square up against Namibia’s Vikapita Meroro in an international 10-round cruiserweight bout.
