Ellesmere Port’s super-flyweight star Paul Butler is still driven by the desire to become the first Briton for more than 100 years to step down a weight and win a second world title. Butler takes on Thailand’s Petchbarngborn Kokietgym in a final eliminator for the WBO mandatory position at Liverpool’s Echo Arena on Saturday June 4th.
If Butler overcomes his Thai challenger he will have earned a second shot at becoming the first British boxer since Bob Fitzsimmons – who won middleweight, heavyweight and light-heavyweight championships – to drop down a weight and win a second title.
“It’s a massive incentive for me,” said Butler. “I’ve been a world champion before and obviously we came down a weight and got the defeat at super-flyweight. It’s always been my dream to win a world title at two weights.”
He added: “We fell short before but we’re on the brink of getting another world title shot. This shot is massive for me; I need to win this fight to get to where I want to be. I’ve worked hard for this opportunity and failure just isn’t an option.”
30 year-old Kokietgym, who comes in with a top record of 38-7-1 18 KO’s, stands in the way of Butler’s shot at making history. The Bangkok bruiser is enjoying a red-hot 16 fight winning streak that stretches back to 2013. Butler knows he will have to be at his very best if he is to overcome his latest challenge.
He said: “We’ve watched quite a bit of him and we expect him to come and work behind his jab. He tries to set the pace with his jab and stop you from firing back with anything of your own.
“It’s all about putting him out of his rhythm and not letting him settle behind that jab. He doesn’t throw many shots other than that jab so the plan will be to take him out of his rhythm and make him pay when he misses.”
A mouth-watering night of action is headlined by Liam Smith’s world title defense against Predrag Radosevic.
South African vows to KO Tony’s Goodison Park dream
Ilunga Makabu has told Tony Bellew that he’ll turn his dream night at Everton FC into a nightmare when they clash for the vacant WBC World Cruiserweight title at Goodison Park on Sunday May 29, live on Sky Sports.
Makabu brings a fearsome KO record to Merseyside with 18 of his 19 straight wins coming inside the distance, and the 29 year old says he will silence the hometown support and make Bellew his latest KO victim.
“People expect me to be scared of the occasion as the stadium will be full of his people cheering him and booing me,” said Makabu. “Tony must not wait for his people to get behind him to start fighting – as once we are in there, no-one can help him, it’s just me and him!
“People can come to support, and I’m happy for this as I like seeing lots of people. I’m ready to fight Tony and handle whatever he brings. I can’t wait to fight him.
“I am the King of Knockouts and for sure I will knock him out. I’m not going to be surprised and the people shouldn’t be shocked when they see me knock Tony Bellew out. I’m not going to wait for this fight to go the distance – I will knock Tony out much before then. He won’t be able to survive 8 or 10 rounds with me, let alone 12 – no way.”
Ricky warns Italian to fear the Glasgow roar
Ricky Burns has told Michele Di Rocco to prepare for a red-hot reception in Glasgow when they meet for the vacant WBA World Super-Lightweight title at the SSE Hydro on Saturday May 28.
Burns returns home to take his shot at history as winning the title would see him become Scotland’s first ever three-weight World champion and only the second Briton to achieve that feat.
The Coatbridge ace has not boxed in Glasgow since June 2014 and admits he’s missed the passion from his faithful following – and wants them to raise the roof at the stunning Hydro on Saturday night as he bids to
“I’ve been boxing away from home a lot and not really been in Glasgow much so it’s great to be back,” said Burns. “It’s always a great night up here and Di Rocco isn’t going to know what’s hit him when he walks out on Saturday night.
“The Hydro is a brilliant venue, fighting in Glasgow is always great – the fans are unbelievable. We’re expecting a great night of boxing and I’ve been there for a couple of gigs and I remember thinking ‘what would it be like to fight here?’ The Commonwealth Games was great there and now this is the first professional show there – when I win that belt it will be the first of many.
“I was happy to stay at Lightweight and I could go back there, but the chance to fight for a World title at a third weight in Glasgow is massive. I cannot wait – it’s a great venue to host a big fight like this for me.
“The last couple of years have been up and down for me, but I don’t need any extra incentive on this fight, it’s a massive chance for me to create history.
“It’s a brilliant bill with so much up and coming talent and some big title fights, so I just want to get out there and do the business.
“Everyone that knows me knows that I am grateful for this chance. I couldn’t ask for a bigger fight, especially coming back to Glasgow after two years away. I have to approach this like any other fight though, I know it’s a big one but I just have to focus on winning and nothing else.”
