Paul Butler is 'buzzing' ahead of his final eliminator at Liverpool's Echo Arena on Saturday night in what will be his first fight with new trainer Oliver Harrison in his corner.

Ellesmere Port's former IBF World bantamweight king linked up with Harrison after five years with Anthony 'Arnie' Farnell and believes the switch is the final piece of a jigsaw that will see him reclaim his world title status.

The 27-year-old meets Thailand's Petchbarngborn Kokietgym over 12 rounds and the 'Baby Faced Assassin' is itching to get in the ring.

Butler said: "It’s fight week now and usually I’m very miserable because of the dieting but I’m actually buzzing. There’s a real jump to my step.

"In camp, Ollie’s tweaked a few minor technical things - my defence up close on the inside, adding power to a short stiff jab and getting me to drive through with my right hand - but it’s as much about having different people in the gym each day. I now train alongside the likes of Martin Murray, Rocky Fielding and Denton Vassell.

"Arnie’s a top, top fella and a fabulous coach. We won so much together so it would have been silly to fall out over it. As an ex-fighter, he’ll understand. He changed trainers several times himself."

Chester-born Butler has rebounded with four stoppage victories since incurring the only stain on his 22 fight career when challenging Zolani Tete for the IBF World super-flyweight title in March 2015.

The Great Sutton-based man revealed it was a sub-par showing against Mexican Sebastian Sanchez three months ago which persuaded him to part with Farnell.

"I just felt a little stale, going through the motions in camp, and needed a change," explained Butler.

"I know I didn’t look great apart from the finish last time out but it wasn’t really down to me. The Mexican was very short so it was hard to get my body shots off and he was so negative. It was difficult to find my range."

LOOK: Paul Butler's boxing career in pictures

Victory this weekend will guarantee Butler a crack at the WBO World bantamweight strap, although the identity of his opponent remains unclear with reports champion Naoya Inoue could be out of action for some time.

A potential showdown with Argentine veteran Omar Narvaez appeals to Butler, who will leave that in the hands of promoter Frank Warren.

Butler said "Inoue is a brilliant champion, very sharp and heavy handed. But I’ve always said that I’ll fight whoever to win a world title and if it’s him, I’ll go to Japan and spring a big upset.

"However, my understanding is that he picked up bad hand trouble when he retained his title earlier this month and can’t fight for a while so the title might be declared vacant.

"Omar Narvaez is number one with Tete second but I believe Zolani is on the verge of an IBF bantamweight challenge to Lee Haskins. I’m three and Kokietgym is four.

Paul Butler's sole defeat came when challenging Zolani Tete for the IBF World super-flyweight title in March 2015
Paul Butler's sole defeat came when challenging Zolani Tete for the IBF World super-flyweight title in March 2015

"I’d take Narvaez in a heartbeat but I’d not be keen on going to Argentina so hopefully Frank can deliver.

"To be honest, it wouldn’t surprise me if I ended up fighting Jamie Conlan for the vacant title. That’s the only way Jamie will fight me. He turned down this eliminator in favour of the vacant Commonwealth title."

But Butler knows that all of the above will be irrelevant if he stutters against Kokietgym

"For once, I’ve watched a lot of my opponent," Butler said.

"Behind Tete, he’s probably the second best I’ve boxed alongside Stuey Hall. He seems pretty tall himself. He’s got a very good jab and when he lands it, he follows with the right hand.

Paul Butler with new trainer Oliver Harrison and training partner Martin Murray
Paul Butler with new trainer Oliver Harrison and training partner Martin Murray

"But he’s never fought out of Asia and he might find it harder to cut weight over here. Most Thais don’t travel too well and I’ll be doing my utmost to ‘put it on him’ this week, take him out of his comfort zone, make him feel a long way from home.

"He’ll never have fought at a big venue like the Echo Arena, full of screaming Scousers.

‘With Oliver, we’ve put a lot of thought into our tactics and really set-up a game plan. The Thai seems quite lazy.

"On the clickers he averages just 40 odd punches from rounds one to eleven, then unleashes about 100 in round 12. I average 80 in camp. I’ll be looking to take him out of his stride.

"I can’t wait to show fans what I’ve learnt under Oliver. I intend to win every round, pressure him into fighting at an uncomfortable pace before getting him out of there in the back end of the fight."