Paul Butler intends to knock Stuart Hall out on June 7 and prove he is 'leagues above' the IBF world bantamweight champion.

Tensions between the two men have been growing over the past few weeks with champion Hall claiming the challenger has been disrespectful and promising to silence the 25-year-old.

But the unbeaten Butler rubbished those suggestions and insists he will prevail when the pair - who are old sparring partners - clash at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle next month.

Butler said: "I know that I've got to him already, I've got Hall's number and he knows it.

"He says I talk a lot, but I'm only saying the truth.  I handled him two years ago when we sparred, now I'm two years more experienced, smarter, stronger and quicker.

"Back then I even went out of my orthodox stance and sparred him southpaw to help him for his fight against Lee Haskins and I still got the better of him.

"Talk is cheap and we can go back and forth with comments, but I'll back up my talking in the ring with my actions.

"I'm leagues above this guy and it's down to me to show I'm the business by knocking him out on the night to leave no doubt who is the better man.

"Just watch me, I'lI smoke his boots."

Darlington-based Hall defeated Vusi Malinga last December to win the belt and chose to make his first defence against Martin Ward in late March, a fight halted in the second round after an accidental clash of heads.

Butler challenged Hall to step through the ropes and the champion - who had been due to face mandatory challenger Randy Caballero - agreed after some intense negotiation.

Hall's promoter Dennis Hobson secured a second voluntary defence for his man - who has said Caballero would have been a much tougher fight - against Butler with the winner set to face the American.

Butler said: "I'm glad that Hall thinks I'm easier than Caballero, he'll find out for sure on the night what Paul Butler is all about, he's going to be in for a massive shock.

"I'm reading all this rubbish he's saying about holding out for more money to fight me.  I didn't hear him bleating about holding out for more money to fight Martin Ward. 

"It's as plain as day for everyone to see, Hall knows how dangerous I am and wanted the most money he could to fight me because he knows that once I've finished with him this will be his last fight and final pay day.

"I don't believe that he has improved since the Jamie McDonnell fight and that was nearly three years ago.

"Technically and skills wise he's limited and he knows his limitations, what he does have bags of is balls.

"My hat goes off to him for his performance over Vusi Malinga to win the title, he dug deep to win, but that was his ultimate glory night and he won't repeat that again."