Lee-Saunders: Paul Butler To Face Silvio Olteanu
Nov 4, 2015 • 9:02 AM ET
By Jake Donovan
Refusing to allow a single loss to define his career, Paul Butler continues to go strong as he strives to climb back to the top.
The former bantamweight titlist was confirmed to appear on the blockbuster December 19 show in Manchester, England, topped by a middleweight title fight between Andy Lee and unbeaten Billy Joe Saunders. An opponent has now been assigned as he will face Silvio Olteanu, who hails from Madrid, Spain by way of Romania.
It will mark the third fight in a span of just over five months, all on the heels of a knockout loss to reigning super flyweight titlist Zolani Tete earlier this year. Comeback wins over Gustavo Molina and most recently Hector Gusman in October have helped restore in-ring confidence as Butler will move towards his December clash with Olteanu, with a regional title at stake.
“This is my first title fight since the Tete fight and I’m desperate to get a belt around my waist again,” Butler (19-1, 10KOs) said through Queensberry Promotions' press office of his upcoming fight. “I’ve proved that the Tete fight wouldn’t dent my confidence and I believe I’ve improved and come back stronger from it as you’ve seen in my last two fights.
“Now I’m in facing a tougher test against a good former European Champion in Olteanu who will make me raise my game and maybe give me a harder test. He's never been stopped and I'm looking to be the first.”
Olteanu doesn't boast the most sparkling record (15-8-1, 6KOs) but has never shied away from a challenge. An 0-3 career start would be enough to convince many boxers to either find a new trade or simply accept the role of opponent for hire.
To his credit, the 37-year old has given an honest account of himself every time out, even coming dangerously close to upsetting then-flyweight titlist Daiki Kameda in a Dec. '10 title bid. His aggression proved difficult for the defending champ to contend with, but not enough to impress two of the three judges in dropping a competitive split decision on the road in Japan.
It was his first career fight outside of Spain, having since fought in Mexico, Italy and most recently in France. The showdown with Butler will serve as his first fight in England, a fight he sees as an opportunity more so than means to further his opponent's career.
“I will show this little kid what is to fight with a man,” Olteanu insists. “He has been protected fighting in his backyard all his career. If you want to became the best, you have to visit the home of your opponent.
“I have fought several times in France, Japan, Mexico, Italy only losing for the World title in Japan by split decision and in Mexico by majority decision twice and everybody knows what that means. I have never ever been stopped and I have fought already ten titles bouts, so lets see if Butler is able to beat me.”
The local favorite insists he will be up for the challenge. His knockout to win ratio may not express his punching power, but Butler has fought as heavy as featherweight, with his title win coming at bantamweight in outpointing Stuart Hall last June.
The feat was met with the decision to drop back down to the super flyweight division. Conversely, Olteanu will be moving up in weight - and class - as he has spent the bulk of his career at flyweight.
“He can bring what he likes to the ring,” Butler states matter-of-factly. “I’m focused on what I’ve got to do and that’s to destroy him and get him out of the way so I can move on in my career and get that second world title.
“That could lead to Conlan next year which is a belter of a fight that I’m confident I’d win, but right now I’m dealing with Olteanu and getting the important win.”
Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
Jake Donovan is an award-winning journalist who served as senior writer for BoxingScene from 2007-2024, and news editor for the final nine years of his first tour. He was also the lead writer for The Ring before his decision to return home.
