Paul Butler: All Bantams Beatable, Especially IBF King Haskins

By Elliot Foster

Paul Butler is looking forward to getting back to business next month.

The Ellesmere Port man, who has endured a frustrating few months after failing to make weight for a June fight in Liverpool, will return to the ring on October 22.

Butler (21-1, 12 KOs) will box an opponent to be confirmed over 10 rounds, as revealed by Boxing Scene yesterday, as part of the undercard to Frank Warren’s ‘A Little Less Conversation’ show at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff, exclusively live on BoxNation.

He will go into the ring for the first time since March, when he stopped Sebastian Sanchez of Mexico inside nine rounds to pick up the vacant WBO International super-flyweight title, under the tutelage of a new trainer. In July, it was confirmed that Butler had left Oliver Harrison –– who he teamed up with following his split with long-time mentor Arnie Farnell –– and would from that point on be working with Joe Gallagher at his Bolton base.

“I’m really looking forward to working alongside Joe,” said Butler. “We’ve already been working on a few little things in the gym that will improve me. He’s a great professional and has watched all of my previous fights to pinpoint areas in which I can improve.

“Just being around the lads in the gym and seeing the big fights that they’re involved in is good to be around and it gives you a real push. I’ve known most of the guys in the gym since I was an amateur. Working alongside them and watching them train is good, you pick up new things every day.”

The 27-year-old ‘Baby-Faced Assassin’ will have his first fight with Gallagher in the corner on the night next month and, after getting a win or two, he has stated that he is targeting the custodian of the IBF crown at bantamweight –– a title which he used to hold –– Lee Haskins.

“It has been a frustrating few months for me but that’s boxing for you. I’m buzzing to get back out and I can’t wait to get back in there and put a show on and push on towards another world title at bantamweight.

“I believe all of the bantamweight world title holders are there for the beating, especially Haskins.”

Haskins retained his crown on September 10 at London’s O2 Arena, live on Sky Sports Box Office, with a controversial points decision victory over common foe Stuart Hall, who Butler outpointed in June, 2014 to take the aforementioned red and gold trinket.

“I’m just eager to get out there, get a win and push on for another world title,” Butler continued. “I’d box for a world title on October 22 if I was given the opportunity. I don’t get ring rust or anything like that.

“I believe I’ll have one or two fights and then I’ll be back in there for a world title fight.”

Butler’s addition to an already stellar card means that there are now 10 fights scheduled for the show.

The show will feature Nathanael Wilson, Chris Eubank’s estranged son, and a whole host of other action.

Bradley Skeete will make a mandatory defence of his British welterweight crown against Shayne Singleton and Thomas Stalker and Craig Evans will do battle for the third time, with the former’s WBO European lightweight crown at stake, while Chris Jenkins and Tommy Langford will box.

Elsewhere, there are spots on the card for Lyon Woodstock, Jay Harris, Alex Hughes and Ilford’s Anthony Yarde, who scored a one-round stoppage on his US debut which came as part of the undercard to Saúl ‘Canelo’ Álvarez’s nine-round stoppage of now-former WBO super-welterweight world champion and Butler’s new gym-mate Liam Smith at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.