British Flyweight Special: Butler, Conlon, Wilton, More
By John Evans
Whilst reporting on the recent Stephen Smith vs Lee Selby card in Liverpool, I had the chance to watch promising super flyweight Paul Butler live for the first time. Butler boxed well against tough journeyman Delroy Spencer and claimed a clear points victory. After the fight, I found myself wondering where Butler would go next. Three months earlier in the same arena I had witnessed then British flyweight champion Paul Edwards lose his title to veteran Chris Edwards in just his ninth bout. The younger man boxed well early on but found himself getting dragged into the remarkable Chris’ type of fight.
It occurred to me that over the last few years promising youngsters have suffered from having a lack of quality fighters to learn their trade against. This has meant that they are then pitched into sink or swim title bouts relatively early in their careers without having experienced a variety of styles. Things could be about to change. The flyweight and super flyweight divisions have seen a sudden influx of talented young fighters all keen to make their mark. As the old saying goes, steel sharpens steel and if the correct matches can be made these promising boxers might just push each other to the highest level. There is a high level of talent within these shores; the fighters just need to be given the opportunity to show it.
With the latest edition of Sky TVs popular Prizefighter series set to feature the super flyweights, I decided it was the ideal time to gauge the opinions of a cross section of the fighters currently vying for supremacy on the British scene. I settled on a mixture of veterans, fighters who have found out what it takes at championship level and hungry youngsters. I found a group of fiercely ambitious fighters all desperate to test themselves to the limit. The fact that the likes of Lee Haskins and British flyweight champion Chris Edwards aren’t included this time only goes to show the depth of the domestic scene. Who knows, there could be part two to this article coming soon.
Let’s meet the participants.
Paul Butler – 22 years old, 4 – 0 (1), Former 51kg A.B.A Champion.
Jamie Conlon – 24 years old, 7 – 0 (4)
Luke Wilton – 23 years old, 10 – 2 – 1 (4)
Paul Edwards – 25 years old, 8 – 1 (2), Former British flyweight champion.
Shinny Bayaar – 34 years old, 15 – 5 – 2 (4), Former British flyweight champion.
Kevin Satchell – 23 years old, 6 – 0
What do you think of the sudden emergence of talented younger fighters around your weight?
PB: I think it’s good that there's a bit more talent around the lighter weights now. It’s good for the sport and good for myself because there's more fights out there for me now.
PE: I think the sudden emergence is brilliant. It can only help me improve and train harder. I know there's plenty out there who want what I want.
JC: I think it's exciting and there are some really exciting fights out there. I can't wait to be in them! I don't think people realise how competitive the fly/super flyweight divisions are getting. There are some good fighters all coming through at the same time.
LW: Yeah, It’s good that there’s a sudden emergence of kids at the weight as it gives us all a lot of fights between us all.
SB: It doesn’t bother me! I know Paul Butler and saw his last fight against Chris Edwards. He was a lucky champion. He has quite good skills but didn’t seem to have the determination to hold on to his title. He was tired after about five rounds.
KS: I think it's good for me as there is a lot of competition out there and with so many good fighters it brings more attention to our weight classes which will help get us out there a lot more.
Some of the established names around are getting older now. Do you feel as though the domestic scene could be there for the taking and how would you like the upcoming year to pan out?
JC: Yeah Shinny Bayaar and Chris Edwards are in their mid 30's but they are still on top of their game and would be tough to beat. I do believe I’m the best of the lot and have what it takes to beat them. I want to be British and Commonwealth Champion in the next year and my fight with John Donnelly is the step in that direction. I’m busting to get those belts first then move on for more titles, I’m belt hungry!
KS: Of course yes, most of the titles at super fly are vacant anyway but with the older boxers moving on it gives us up and coming boxers more of a chance to dominate at our weight. I would like to have won the British title and be fighting for the Commonwealth or European title by then.
PE: Yeah, I think its there for taking without doubt and that's what I plan on doing. I learnt loads from the fight with Chris. It wasn't my best performance but I definitely thought I won. It’s made me ten times a better fighter.
SB: I’m not bothered about any other fighters. Who is training harder at their job than me? I might be 34 but I feel 24. I know I’m faster and stronger.
PB: Yeah a couple of the flys and light flys are getting on and I think its time for the young up and coming lads to take over now. There are plenty of lads out there that I’m sure think they’re ready for a shot. I want to have picked up the British title and won it outright, and see where I go from there. It’s a massive goal of mine to win the Lonsdale belt outright.
LW: Yeah, the likes of Chris Edwards and Bayaar are getting older but look at Chris’ last fight! He didn’t look that old! I feel I can get there, I just need the chance and I’ll take it. I would like to be champion or have challenged for the British or Commonwealth titles.
Which of the upcoming fighters do you see becoming your main rival over the next couple of years and whose style would gel best with yours?
JC: I haven't really thought about who could be my rivals. Time will tell. I just don't underestimate anybody! My next fight on October 22 in Bolton against former British bantamweight challenger John Donnelly should be great. The styles should definitely make for an exciting fight – I can't wait for it. This fight will bring out the best in me.
PB: I can't really see any rivals out there; I've sparred most off them. Conlon seems a good lad so I've heard although I've never seen him. I'm confident that I can dominate my weight. I'd say Kevin Satchell. We have some cracking spars. I've known him since we were kids, he's a top fighter and I’m sure we would get the crowd on their feet if we ever meet along the line. There are some big, big fights for me in the Liverpool area now. Liverpool’s always bred good flyweights and I’m sure it will continue for a while.
LW: There are a lot of good kids coming through and I was impressed with the skills of Paul Butler when he fought Delroy Spencer. I think my style and Chris Edwards would gel the best as we are similar. Constant pressure and loads of punches. I feel it would be a great fight to watch and be a part of.
PE: There are a few not one really stands out. Obviously all my local rivals that are coming through now will be there. There are plenty of big local clashes. You’ve got Satchell, Butler and Robinson leading the way so let's see how they progress. I think Chris Edwards again because of the first fight. Also Shinny Bayaar again.
KS: I wouldn’t underestimate any of the boxers at my weight, however I believe some of the top lads at both weights will be the likes of Paul Butler and Paul Edwards so I see them as my main rivals. Paul Edwards lives in the same area as me and it's a fight both our fans would love to see in the future. John Donnelly is another local lad I could come up against in the near future. Someone who comes forward looking for the fight would give me the perfect fight because I box better on the back foot.
SB: I’m concentrating on fighting Chris Edwards. It’s not signed yet but Jack [Writers note: Jack Doughty, Bayaar’s trainer] says that we are just waiting and it will be around December. I’m going to try and stop him this time. Last time I got a cut and had to change tactics. Things will be different this time. Everybody’s mistake is to think he is too old. I don’t think that. He is a tremendous fighter. I really, really respect him but he’s my enemy!
What skills do you possess that will enable you to reach the top of this group?
JC: My heart and determination but I also punch very hard for a flyweight!
PB: I think I've got a bit off everything to my game. I can grit my teeth and box on the back foot. I think you need it all to reach the top and that's where I want to be.
LW: I feel my pressure and work rate is my main asset but I have got boxing skills as well.
PE: My power is underestimated. I think once I land a good clean shot you’re gonna see people get taken out.
KS: I'm big and tall at my weight with a long reach so that will help. I have good stamina, excellent trainers and a great camp behind me.
After the successful super six and Showtime bantamweight tournaments how would you feel about a domestic round robin?
LW: Yeah! I enjoyed watching the Super Six and would love to be part of a tournament like that it would be a great thing to be part of.
JC: It would be great exposure for our division. I would love it because the best would fight the best and all would be entertaining fights.
PB: Yeah! A round robin would be great, am sure the boxing fans would love to see it and its more fights for us all.
SB: Of course! I was thinking about entering the super flyweight Prizefighter tournament that’s coming up but it is too risky and now it is full. Frank Maloney said if I lost it would mean I couldn’t fight Chris and Jack was worried about me getting cut. I decided I’m not bothered about the money, winning my championship back means more to me.
Why do you feel the lower weights get overlooked sometimes? What would you say to persuade them to give you a chance next time?
SB: It’s not my opinion but people think that there are no knockouts. We show skill, stamina and speed though. It is a proper fight. Non-stop busy! In Europe and the USA people like the heavier weights but in Asia the lower weight guys get the attention and big money.
LW: Yeah, I feel they do overlook the lighter weights but I don’t know why. I only really like watching the little men as they give the most action and their all every time they fight which makes it very interesting to watch. I would advise people to get behind them as they show so much heart and guts every time they fight.
PE: It does but recently people seem more interested and that's down to us fighters boxing well and making the fans want more. I promise if they watch me they’ll enjoy it! The lower weights are always exciting and we give it all we've got. We train like demons so I think we deserve a chance to be on the big stage and shine.
JC: I’m not sure why we get over looked; the exciting fights are there. People seem to think that there aren’t many good fighters in the lower weights but that’s all changed. There are a lot more top amateurs turning pro now. Also Ireland has a great tradition in the lower weights and a hope to continue that! The fights are fast and frantic and you’re guaranteed excitement. You will get as much action in one round of flyweight fight than twelve rounds of a heavyweight fight.
PB: I honestly don't know! I think it might be because there aren’t that many knockouts. In the lighter weights your always going to get a top fight full off pace and excitement for however long the fights for.
KS: Because there are not as many knockouts and people love to see a good knockout. It's a lot faster and a lot more skilled, higher paced fights so there are a lot more big shots landed.
