Alonzo Butler Talks Chris Arreola, Seth Mitchell and More

By Ryan Burton

 

Many boxing outlets (including this one) recently reported that heavyweight contender Alonzo Butler (28-2-1) would face Chris Arreola in his Mexico debut on November 5th.  The Tennessee native wanted to clear the air and said that those reports were premature and that an agreement hadn't ever been reached.

 

"I would love to fight Arreola but that fight was never made.  We never had an agreement but it is definitely a fight that I am interested in.  All they have to do is make me a fair offer and we can fight," Butler told BoxingScene.

 

Butler last fought in May when he suffered a majority loss decision to Travis Walker.  According to Butler he dropped Walker a total of four times in their ten round bout but was only credited with two knockdowns.  The ref deemed that Walker was pushed down on the other two occasions.

 

"You can watch the fight for yourself.  It is on Usteam.  You will agree that I won the fight.  There is no way that Walker won," stated Butler.

 

 While Butler said that he definitely wants a rematch, he isn't holding his breath on actually getting one.  "I know I won't get a rematch.  Walker don't want it.  As a matter of fact he even said that he didn't want to fight me again."

 

The 31 year Butler keeps himself in shape and is always in the gym so that he can be ready for a fight on short notice.  He feels that it is his time to shine and wants a shot at any of the top fighters.  "Arreola, (Alexander) Povetkin, (Bermane) Stiverne.  Any of those guys I would like to fight.  I will fight anybody out there.  The problem is I have 28 wins and 21 knockouts.  These guys don't want to fight me unless they can get me out of shape.  A lot of these guys don't want to take any risks."

 

One fight that Butler really wants is against fellow contender Seth Mitchell.  Both men are former football players.  Butler said they tried to reach a deal with Mitchell's team for his December 10th HBO debut that takes place underneath the Amir Khan versus Lamont Peterson main event but that they didn't want the fight.  Timur Ibragimov (30-3-1) ultimately ended up getting the fight opposite Mitchell.

 

"We tried to get a fight with Mitchell.  I really want to fight him.  We tried to fight him in December but they didn't want it.  I am telling you, it is hard to get fights with some of these guys," Butler revealed.

 

Butler isn't a household name but thinks that he has the style that will endear him to the fickle boxing fans of today.  For one he stays trim, which seems to be rare in today's heavyweight division.  Butler finished up our conversation by stating his case for why fans should be on the look out for him.

 

"I have power.  The fans should look out for my right hand and my left hook.  I have power in both hands and I always try to put on a show," said Butler in closing.