Paul Butler will dedicate his next victory to the man who helped get him a foot on the world title ladder.
The Great Sutton fighter, 24, takes his first steps toward international glory on Saturday, September 21, when he battles for the vacant WBO inter-continental super-flyweight title.
Butler’s contest against Chile’s Miguel Gonzalez in London was put together by the much-loved matchmaker Dean Powell.
Powell, who worked for Butler’s promoter Frank Warren, passed away last week to leave the boxing community in mourning.
“I will definitely be dedicating this win to Dean,” said the unbeaten Butler.
“This fight was meant to happen in the summer but fell through. I’ve still got the text Dean sent me when he said ‘sorry we couldn’t get it this time but we’ll make it for your next fight’.
“Dean kept his word and it is just sad that he won’t be here to see it.
“He worked so hard to get me this WBO title fight.”
British and Commonwealth champion Butler is confident of getting his hands on the WBO belt and moving up the governing body’s rankings and towards a full world title shot.
Gonzalez boasts a 17-0 record but the weekend’s bout at the Copper Box Arena will be his first fight outside his homeland.
Butler and coach Arnie Farnell have studied the 24-year-old and are ready to turn the heat up on the South American.
“Arnie watched him again this week and we know that Gonzalez can’t do much on his back foot,” said Butler.
“So I am going to push him back for the first two rounds and let him know who is the stronger fighter and then I’ll be looking to plant my feet.
“I just throw body shots naturally and threw them in the amateurs. But since I turned professional I have caught near enough everyone with the left hook to the body.
“I’ve been hit by body shots in the gym and it’s not nice. It’s even worse on fight night when your opponent is wearing 8oz gloves.
“I’ve still got a lot, lot more to offer.
“I’ve shown that when I go through the gears I get lads out of there.
“I upped the gears for 30 seconds against Najah Ali and did it against Yaqub Karim and look what happened.
“I’ll need to step it up again against this kid because he is 17-0.”
