Former IBF World Bantamweight Champion Butler targets a history making second world title in a lighter division and aims to become to the first British boxer in over 100 years to achieve the feat.
The super-talented 26-year-old has dazzled with his lighting fast combinations and devastating body punching on the way to a perfect 17-0 record, but knows he faces the hardest test of his career against the rock hard Tete from South Africa, who’s only been stopped once in 22 fights.
Butler said, “It’s going to be a magical night at the Echo Arena with my fans backing me all the way to a second world title. It’s by no means going to be an easy night against Tete, who’s a very tough and experienced champion, but fighting for the world title in front of my fans at home means the world to me and that will give me the extra determination to win it.”
Chief support on the card sees Liverpool favourite Liam Smith, the British Light-Middleweight Champion, return to action as he closes in on a world title fight. The hard-hitting 26-year-old has finished off his last three opponents inside six rounds and is promising another top showing.
Smith said, “Championship Boxing nights are now a big attraction on the Liverpool scene and it’s great to be part of the resurgence in the city. I love fighting in front of my home crowd and they always go home satisfied after I’ve fought and given them value for money with a knockout win. This is a big year in my career and I’ve got the world title in my sights.”
British and Commonwealth Flyweight Champion Kevin Satchell raised the roof at the Echo Arena in his last fight when he defeated Valery Yanchy to win the European title – Liverpool’s first European Champion in 24 years. The 26-year-old stylist returns to make the first defence of the title, with the Commonwealth belt also on the line, against old rival Luke Wilton who Satchell defeated on points in 2013.
Satchell said, “It was a dream to be crowned European Champion in my last fight and add the prized belt alongside my British and Commonwealth titles to become a triple champion. I made of bit of local history as well with the win and it’s fantastic to return straight back and defend the title. I’m within touching distance of a world title shot and Wilton is in the way of that so I’ll make sure I defeat him a second time.”
All-action Derry Matthews thrilled his fans with a pulsating points win over Adam Dinsdale last October to claim the WBA Continental Lightweight title and makes the first defence of the belt on the show. Mathews has become a cult hero with his thrilling style and has promised to give his fans more of the same.
Mathews said, “This will be another great night for Liverpool and for the boxing fans who get another title packed card at the fantastic Echo Arena which is arguably the home of British right now.
Exciting super-bantamweight Jazza Dickens lost in his first attempt at a British title in 2013 against Kid Galahad, but the Liverpool hero has promised to capture the title second time around when he faces Barnsley’s Josh Wale for the Vacant belt.
He said, “I’ve improved and learnt so much from that first loss and it has made me a much better and stronger fighter because of it. This time around you will see a completely different Jazza Dickens and I’ll be leaving the ring with the Lonsdale belt strapped around it. I can’t wait for it, to challenge for the British title in front of my home is dream come true and I’m not letting my fans down.”
A hot talent who will be making big waves in 2015 is Chorley light-welterweight Jack Catterall.
The 21-year-old made some big statements last year with a knockout win over fellow prospect Nathan Brough in two rounds and then stopping the 2012 Team GB Olympic captain and undefeated pro Tom Stalker in eight rounds in a thrilling eight-round battle to win the WBO European title.
Catterall will make the first defence of his title against Walsall’s Martin Gethin. He said, “This is another big year for me and I aim to make more big statements starting with Gethin. The wins against Brough and Stalker took me to the next level and now I’m in against a tough, experienced and knowledgable former British champion who will provide me with a hard test, but I’m confident that my skill and power will be too much for him.”
