By Shaun Brown
A win for Paul Butler (19-1, 10 KOs) on Saturday night will take the former world champion closer to a showdown with Jamie Conlan next year.
Butler, who held the IBF World bantamweight title between June 2014 and March 2015, faces Silvio Olteanu for the vacant WBO European super flyweight strap at Manchester Arena this weekend.
Romania’s Olteanu is a former European flyweight champion and represents Butler’s biggest test since losing his challenge to Zolani Tete for the IBF World super flyweight title. Since that night back in March the Ellesmere 'Baby Faced Assassin' has had two victories against Gustavo Molina and Hector Gusman respectively.
“He’s got back on the saddle and he’s raring to go,” Butler’s promoter Frank Warren told Boxing Scene.
“I think Paul makes fights as hard as he wants them to be. He’s a fabulous fighter and got bags of talent. He’s had a setback, I think he’s shown the type of guy he is. He’s got a lot of character. One loss is not the end of the world,” he added.
Warren also revealed to Boxing Scene when he plans to make the much anticipated England-Northern Ireland showdown between Butler and Conlan.
“We’re looking to get that on at the end of May next year,” he revealed.
Conlan, from Belfast, is the WBO Inter-Continental belt holder and remains unbeaten after 15 fights with nine ending inside the distance. The 29-year-old, ranked number five with the WBO, was in action against Adrian Dimas Garzon earlier last month.
Paul Butler vs. Silvio Olteanu will be shown live and exclusive on Boxnation this Saturday night as part of the undercard to the Andy Lee vs. Billy Joe Saunders WBO World middleweight title showdown. To subscribe visit www.boxnation.com
Shaun Brown is Boxing Scene’s UK News Editor. Follow him on Twitter @sbrown2pt0. Contact him at sbrownboxing@gmail.com
