By Jake Donovan
Paul Butler has every intention of bringing home the super flyweight title as he prepares for his March 6 challenge of defending champ Zolani Tete in Liverpool, England. Prior to the fight, his handlers look to bring the masses to the Port Arcades Shopping Center, where the unbeaten former bantamweight titlist will host a public workout on Saturday, February 21.
“I’m delighted to return to the Port Arcades again and put on a show and meet the fans’ ahead of a massive night at the Echo Arena when I face Zolani Tete for the world title," insists Butler (17-0, 8KOs).
The event begins at 11am local time, with Butler's public workout scheduled from 1-2pm.
Butler aims to become the first British boxer in more than 100 years to win a second world title at a lighter weight. Bob Fitzsimmons accomplished the feat to become a three-time champ, capturing the light heavyweight prize after having previously reigned as World champion at middleweight and heavyweight at the turn of the 20th century.
The Ellesmere Port-based boxer hit paydirt last June, edging countryman Stuart Hall in a well-earned split decision to capture a bantamweight belt. The bout was just his second officially sanctioned affair at bantamweight, vacating the title soon thereafter to drop back down to the super flyweight division.
A showdown with Tete (19-3, 16KOs) was scheduled for last October, but an injury suffered by the defending champion left Butler to instead take a stay busy fight rather than grow stale on the sidelines. Barring any further delays, the 26-year old is counting down the days before his date with destiny, and to bring glory to his hometown.
It will make me proud to put Ellesmere Port on the world boxing map as the town that holds a double world champion. The fans’ support is crucial to me and I hope that they come out and show it on Saturday at the Port Arcades and then at the fight on Friday 6th March at the Liverpool Echo Arena.”
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
