PAUL Butler is aiming to take his career to a new level in 2013 – starting with a Commonwealth title win.

The Chester-born super-flyweight is looking forward to a year of big challenges and his first test will come at the Liverpool Olympia on Friday, March 8.

Butler, 24, will face Nigeria’s Commonwealth champion Yaqub Karim, it was confirmed this week.

The fight replaces a planned British title showdown with Merseysider Mike Robinson in February.

Former Vauxhall Motors ABC amateur Butler said: “I need a big year behind me. I want four or five fights and I want them all to be big fights. That’s what I need now. I’ve served my apprenticeship.”

Butler, of Great Sutton, is unbeaten in nine pro fights since he signed for Frank Warren Promotions in 2010.

He underlined his potential with a storming victory in London against Ashley Sexton last July and followed it up by claiming the vacant British super-flyweight strap in November, taking little over a minute to dismantle John Donnelly in Liverpool.

The proposed fight with Robinson – which had been pencilled in for Friday, February 15 – has been put on ice after difficulties in getting the bout sanctioned.

Ellesmere Port super-featherweight Matty Fagan will fight on the Butler undercard.