The December 31 boxing card from Macau just got another major fight.
WBA light flyweight champion Hekkie Budler will defend his title against former minimumweight world champion Hiroto Kyoguchi in Kyoguchi's first world title challenge at 108 pounds.
Budler is one of the division's top champions after defeating Ryoichi Taguchi to unify the WBA and IBF light flyweight titles back in May. Budler would ultimately vacate the IBF title after a purse bid against mandatory challenger Felix Alvarado would provide an abysmal $25,000 winning bid. The IBF title would then be later claimed by Alvarado, who defeated Randy Petalcorin by TKO back in October. Prior to the win over Taguchi, Budler fought Milan Melindo for the IBF title on September 2017, losing a split decision in a bout that would go on to be a Fightful Boxing "Fight of the Year" candidate for 2017.
Kyoguchi, who sports an 11-0 pro record, won the IBF minimumweight title in his eighth fight when he defeated Jose Argumedo in 2017. Kyoguchi would go on to defend the title twice before making to jump up to light flyweight. The 25-year-old Kyoguchi is coming off a win Tito Monabesa back in September.
So far, according to Boxrec, there are four total fights scheduled to take place on the card. The main event is the vacant WBO super flyweight title fight between Donnie Nietes and Kazuto Ioka. WBC Asian Boxing Council Continental light flyweight champion Raymond Poon KaiChing and unbeaten flyweight Lap Cheong Cheong are scheduled to fight on separate fights.