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 4th June, live and exclusive on BoxNation.
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 defence against Predrag Radosevic. South African super-puncher Zolani Tete makes his eagerly anticipated return to Liverpool to defend his IBF International Bantamweight title. Jazza Dickens takes on Spain’s Abigail Medina for the Vacant EBU European Super-Bantamweight Championship. Liverpool favourite Tom Stalker challenges for the Vacant WBO European Lightweight title. A top undercard sees Kevin Satchell, Liam Williams, Steven Lewis, Josh Leather and Declan Geraghty all in action.
Tickets priced at £40, £60 and £80 are available from:
TicketMaster
0844 844 0444
www.ticketmaster.co.uk
Eventim
0844 249 1000
www.eventim.co.uk
Liverpool Echo Arena
0844 8000 400
www.echoarena.com
The Channel of Champions, BoxNation, will televise live and exclusive on Sky 437/HD 490, Virgin 546, Freeview 255 and Talk Talk 415. Subscribe at www.boxnation.com or watch online at Livesport.tv and via iPhone, iPad or Android.
