Pictured: Hekkie Budler


On Saturday, May 22, bouts featuring fighters not currently ranked by TTR which may impact TTR's rankings saw former two-division champion Hekkie Budler and bantamweight Jose Velasquez win by unanimous decision. Budler, returning to the ring after a layoff of over 28 months, outpointed Jonathan Almacen and Velasquez, in only his third bout outside of his native Chile and only his second in the United States, outscored previously unbeaten Ariel Lopez.


Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa-

Vacant WBC Silver Light Flyweight Title-
Hekkie Budler (WBC #2, The Ring #4; 33-4, 10 KOs)
Unan. Dec. 12
Jonathan Almacen (IBO #34, WBC #36- both at 105; 7-4-2, 2 KOs)
- This was Budler's first bout since his TKO-10 loss to Hiroto Kyoguchi on December 31, 2018.
- Budler unanimously outpointed the game but inexperienced Almacen by the scores of 118-111, 118-111, and 117-111.

Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA-

Bntamweight Bout (Non-title)-
WBC FECONSUR champion Jose Velasquez (IBO #7, WBO #13, WBC #25; 29-6-2, 19 KOs)
Unan. Dec. 10
Ariel Lopez (16-1-1, 10 KOs)
- Velasquez knocked out previously unbeaten Antonio Paulo Soares in the eighth round on September 23, 2017 in Sao Paulo, Brazil and stopped previously unbeaten, world-ranked Melvin Lopez in the ninth round of their October 25, 2019 bout in Miami, Florida.
- Ariel Lopez, a highly regarded Brooklyn, New York-based prospect, came into this bout off consecutive TKO-4 wins over fading veterans Juan Kantun and Juan Palacios.