Paul Butler is not willing to play a waiting game in his bid to restore himself to the elite.
In March, the Chester-born star attempted to become the first Briton in more than 100 years to drop down a division and claim a second world title when he faced Zolani Tete for the IBF super-flyweight crown but suffered his first defeat.
Butler got back in the saddle with successive victories over Gustavo Molina and Hector Rolando Guzman, and the 27-year-old, who battles Silvio Olteanu for the vacant WBO European title in Manchester on December 19, wants to prove he can hit the top spot again.
Butler said: “I boxed for the British title in my ninth fight and seemed to be picking up titles every other fight. So it was all good, then obviously it all came crashing down when I got beaten by Tete, but I am back on the title trail now and the WBO European will push me back up there in the rankings.”
One fight touted is a match-up with Jamie Conlan, but following a trip to watch Conlan’s bout in November, Butler senses a reluctance on the part of the Irishman’s team to go ahead.
Butler said: “When I got beat by Tete I said I wanted to box Conlan straight away, I wanted to be straight back in meaningful fights. I think it is a great fight and has been talked about a lot for a long time.
"I remember it being talked about when I’d had five or six fights and it didn’t happen then, we wanted it last time and it didn’t happen, we want it in February and they are now saying they want one or two more fights.
"When they think they are ready they are going to take the fight but it is like I am waiting around for Jamie Conlan. I want to be pushed, so if he’s not there, take me past him and I’ll go on myself.”
