UK News: Butler Update; Gethin vs. Diaz; Adam Little

Paul Butler’s promoter Frank Warren says the Ellesmere Port sensation will become the next big star of British boxing following in the footsteps of Ricky Hatton and Naseem Hamed.

Butler, the British and Commonwealth Super-Flyweight Champion, returns to action on Saturday 15th June at Wembley Arena where he aims to win his third title when he challenges for the Vacant WBO International title, live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/Virgin Ch. 546).

The 24-year-old won the Commonwealth title last month against Yaqub Kareem with a punch-perfect performance to stop the tough Nigerian who hadn’t been stopped in nearly seven years.

Hall of Fame promoter Warren took flamboyant showman Hamed to become the biggest name in world boxing in the 1990s and then all-action Hatton from an amateur to global sensation in the 2000s.

He sees the same characteristics in the unbeaten 24-year-old who has excited fans and media with his thrilling, big-hitting, style and believes he can become Britain’s first ever world champion in the 115lb super-flyweight division.

“I’ve been really impressed with Paul and especially in his last few fights where he’s stopped his last three opponents winning the British and Commonwealth titles by knockout,” Said Warren.

“Paul has got the choir-boy look about him, but when he gets in the ring it’s like a switch has been flicked and he becomes a vicious puncher and wants to hurt his opponents, just like Hamed and Hatton in their day,”

“He’s only had ten fights and by far the best in Britain right now.  I’m confident in his skill and talent that he could win a world title now, but he’s still learning and there’s plenty more to come from him.”

“I took Hamed and Hatton to the top and there is no reason why Butler can hit the same heights.  I believe that he can become a big, big, star in the sport.”

Butler, who’s opponent will be confirmed shortly, features on an action-packed card alongside Dereck Chisora plus two further cracking all-British showdowns: Frankie Gavin and Denton Vassell for the British and Commonwealth Welterweights titles and the rematch between Paul Smith and Tony Dodson for the Vacant British Super-Middleweight title.

Heading up the undercard is fast-rising unbeaten super-middleweight Frank Buglioni from Enfield who’s KO’d six out of eight opponents; plus unbeaten light-heavyweight and 2010 Commonwealth Games Champion Calum Johnson from Boston; Southern Area Welterweight Champion Bradley Skeete; Former Southern Area Light-Middleweight Champion Steve O’Meara; Wembley Light-Welterweight Gary Corcoran; Harrow Weald Super-Featherweight Mitchell Smith; Canning Town lightweight Billy Morgan; Chingford’s unbeaten Tom Baker and Bowers Gifford John Dignum clash over four rounds at middleweight; plus Islington super-featherweight Joey Taylor.

Tickets, priced at £40, £50, £70, £100 and £150 are available now from Eventim on 0844 249 1000 or www.eventim.co.uk and Wembley Arena on 0844 815 0815 or www.wembleyarena.co.uk

British Lightweight Champion Martin Gethin is looking forward to taking part in an open training session at The Saddlers Shopping Centre, Walsall, this coming Saturday, 18th May.

Walsall's Gethin faces Ammeth Diaz in an IBF Final Eliminator at Walsall Town Hall on Friday, 31st May with the winner earning the right to face Miguel Vazquez for the IBF Title.

On Saturday Gethin will be put through his paces by members of his training team and will be joined by Frank Warren's Matchmaker, Dean Powell.

"I'm really grateful to everyone connected with The Saddlers Shopping Centre,” Gethin told www.uko-boxing.com . “It’s great to have their support. I'm proud to be flying the Walsall flag and, as a local lad, it will be great to make an appearance there on Saturday.

“It will make a nice change as I'm usually being dragged around the shops in the Centre by my fiance Sherilyn on a Saturday afternoon!"

Lauren Bullock, from the Saddlers Shopping Centre said: "We are looking forward to seeing Martin on site and hope lots of people come along on the 18th May to see his training session. We wish him luck for the fight.”

Steve Pope, from Topland, owners of the shopping centre, added: "I'm delighted that the centre is helping to promote local talent and I would like to wish Martin the best of luck in his Eliminator fight at the Town Hall."

LITTLE LOOKING TO LIGHT UP BLACKPOOL

ADAM LITTLE intends on stealing the show when he boxes on VIP Promotions' card at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool on June 7.

The Kirkham prospect, 22, has been out of action since last October due to a hand injury, but after undergoing surgery he is keen to make up for lost time.

"This fight is a big thing for me and I'm really looking forward to showing people what I can do with two hands," he said.

"People do know I've had an injury and my performances haven't been as good as they should have been so there's a bit of extra pressure in this fight. I'm hoping on June 7 I'll be spectacular and people will go away talking about it.

"It's up to me to make people stand up and take notice and that's what I intend on doing."

After being on the sidelines for such a lengthy period, many young boxers would want to ease themselves back into action with a number of fights against modest opponents.

Little, however, stresses that he doesn't want to any easy touches as he's looking to push towards title opportunities later of the year.

"I want to be in with someone with a winning record," he stated. "I think my apprenticeship as a pro is over now and I want to be in decent fights.

"I don't get excited about fighting journeymen and I don't think they bring best out in me. When I fight better opponents and I really have to dig deep to win, then I think I'll really impress people.

"I 'm not trying rush into anything because that could leave me in deep water, but I do think the welterweight division is wide open.

"I've still got a lot to learn, but I believe I can be fighting for the Central Area title before the end of this year.

"The champion, Chris Johnson, has a lot more experience than me. He's had 20 fights, he's fought Lee Purdy and he's won quite a few by stoppage, but I think that's the sort of fight I'll be looking at soon."