Conlan and Butler to go head to head on November 7
Super-flyweight stars Jamie Conlan and Paul Butler are heading towards a potential blockbuster showdown next year and the pair will meet face-to-face next month.
Conlan headlines a title-packed Irish extravaganza show at Dublinās National Stadium on Saturday 7th November when he makes the second defence of his WBO Intercontinental crown, exclusively live on BoxNation, with Butler providing commentary ringside TV commentary on the night.
Itās a mouthwatering fight between the little men of boxing with plenty of passion and bragging rights between the 115lb rivals that packs just as big a punch as any matches in the heavyweight division.
Undefeated Conlan proved why heās a fight fans favourite when he came through a thriller in his last fight in July against hard Mexican Junior Granados at the iconic venue. He overcame two knockdowns in the seventh round to fight his way back and win on the judgesās scorecards.
However his Ellesmere Port adversary, a former IBF World Bantamweight Champion and IBF World Super-Flyweight title challenger, has stoked up the fire by saying that he wasnāt impressed with Conlanās performance and believes that he can beat the Belfast man if they met.
āPersonally I think Conlanās a good kid, but heās not good enough to beat me,ā said Butler.
āHeās got plenty of heart and I respect that, but against me heād have to show a lot more than just grit,ā
āIām confident that Iād beat him, whether he stood in front of me, if I took it to him, or if I boxed him, I know Iād come out the winner,ā
āThereās not any department that he could beat me from what Iāve seen. If that Mexican kid Granados pushed him back whatās he going to do against the likes of me? Iām bigger and stronger and Iād do what I want to him,ā
āIām looking forward to seeing him up close on the 7th November in Dublin. I hope he shows me something more that what Iāve seen of him,ā
āWith that said, I know he would raise his against me if we met. Itās a fight that has got the man on the street talking and then you know itās a big fight.ā
Conlan reckons he has Butlerās number and could stop him even earlier than African Zolani Tete who is the only man to have defeated Butler.
āButlerās is a world level fight so I want his name on my record,ā Said Conlan.
āHeās done it at bantamweight, but was exposed at super-fly against Tete, I feel that I have his number and would expose him. Heās show more weaknesses in the fights that heās won than heās lost,ā
āI get asked everyday āWhen are you going to knock him out?ā. I believe that the fight has got to happen soon. I want it, he wants it, the fans and press want it, so bring it on.ā
āI canāt wait to return to the National Stadium on the 7th November for another great night of action, Butler will be there so I hope he doesnāt get cold feet after seeing me fight in the flesh,ā
āThe fans who come out and support me are fantastic and really make a special atmosphere in there. It definitely gave me a lift when they roared me back up in the seventh round against Granados. I knew they had paid good, hard-earned, money to come and watch me so I had to get back up and give them there result they wanted.ā
āA victory on the 7th November is crucial to keep the Butler fight alive so Iāll be at my best and give it everything Iāve got. I canāt wait.ā
An action packed card features a further three exciting title fights: Peter McDonagh and Dean Byrne clash for the Vacant Welterweight Championship of Ireland; a big-hitting showdown between Dublinās Ian Tims and County Mayoās Michael Sweeney for the Celtic Warrior Cruiserweight Championship; Dublinās Declan Geraghty will challenge for the Celtic Warrior Super-Featherweight Championship. An action packed undercard includes top Irish talents: Dublin cruiserweight David McGuire, Dublin middleweight Ciaran Mullen, Dublin heavyweight Sean Turner, Belfast featherweight Ciaran McVarnock and red-hot Belfast lightweight Joe Fitzpatrick.
Tickets are priced at ā¬25, ā¬40, ā¬60, ā¬100, ā¬150 and are available from www.tickets.ie and 0818 33 3231
The Channel Of Champions, BoxNation, will televise the show live and exclusive on Sky 437/HD 490, Virgin 546 and Talk Talk 415. Subscribe at www.boxnation.com Or watch online at Livesport.tv and via iPhone, iPad or Android.