Paul Butler expects Ruben Montoya to come out all guns blazing on Saturday night but believes the Mexican will soon be on the retreat.

Unbeaten super-flyweight Butler, 25, will defend his WBO Inter-Continental strap when he steps back between the ropes at the Echo Arena in Liverpool.

Montoya has told Butler he will be his ‘worst nightmare’ in the build-up to the fight, but the Baby Faced Assassin from Ellesmere Port reckons his punching power will be too much for the 27-year-old.

“He was saying he was going to show me the Mexican way and take me into deep waters and drown me,” said Butler.

“If he is trying to intimidate me then he is barking up the wrong tree. I think once he tastes the leather of my gloves then he is going to need another strategy.”

Butler has not lost in 13 fights and has stopped seven of his opponents, earning a reputation as a vicious puncher. 

His last fight saw him comfortably out-point Chilean Miguel Gonzalez over 12 rounds in September.

Butler is highly-ranked with the WBO, WBC and IBF, and will claim the vacant WBA Intercontinental title with a victory over Montoya, who has 12 wins and one defeat on his record.

Montoya is an unknown quantity, fighting outside of his native Mexico for the first time. Butler and his intelligent trainer Arnie Farnell have worked hard in the gym to ensure the confident Mexican does not hold any surprises.

“Training has been perfect,” said Butler. “We have had some good sparring and I have been pushing myself hard because I know this Mexican is going to come and fight. We have been based in Manchester every day and then I have been out doing my running each night. We have been working on different things because everybody knows I like to throw the left hook to the body and the last guy seemed to get on to that.

“There are a few videos of Montoya on YouTube but I don’t watch them and I leave that side of it to my trainer.

“I did have a quick look at him doing some work on the pads and, the way he throws his jab, I don’t think he’s going to trouble me that much.”

Butler believes the atmosphere inside the Echo Arena could be too much for Montoya, with an intimidating Merseyside crowd squeezing into the venue.

Hometown fighters Derry Matthews and Liam Smith top the bill alongside Butler, with fellow Ellesmere Port prospect Matty Fagan  also in action.

“My last fight there was over two years ago and I am looking forward to getting back because it is a brilliant arena,” said Butler.

“Matty and I have sold more than 600 tickets between us and the atmosphere should be electric.”

Fagan has won his first three pro bouts and the 25-year-old lightweight aims to extend his unbeaten run.

As well as making a major impression inside the boxing ring, Butler has also been having an impact inside the penalty box on the football field.

He plays up front for Sutton Casuals in the Ellesmere Port Sunday League and has been in good goalscoring form, although football has had to take a back seat.

Butler said: “I have had to give up the football for the last couple of weeks because I don’t want to get any niggles.

“Last time I kept on playing, I picked up a little knock and it wasn’t right going into the fight.”