VAUXHALL Motors ABC have pulled a talented teenage boxer out of his international debut after learning he could be thrown into the ring against a Cuban fighter.

Great Sutton's Paul Butler was hoping to proudly pull on an England vest next month for an international tournament in France. But Motors ABC officials have withdrawn the 18-year-old light-flyweight after discovering that the event was a multi-nation tournament featuring hardened Cuban fighters.

According to Motors ABC secretary John Smurthwaite, the decision was made to safeguard Butler's long-term prospects and prevent him being given an unwanted baptism of fire.

'We want him to build an international career and achieve his potential,' said Smurthwaite. 'But putting him in against Cubans for his debut would be like throwing him in against Mike Tyson.

'There are professionals who could not live with the Cuban fighters and they are for experienced internationals, not new boys like Paul.

'To get in the ring with a fighter like that could end his international career before it starts.

'We would have been happy with France, Russia or one of the home nations, but Cuba is too much so we have had to pull him out.'

Butler has been climbing the rankings fast and he was delighted when England head coach Mick Gannon rewarded him with a call-up for next month's show in France.

The decision to pull the teenager out of the trip was not taken lightly and it is not expected to hamper his international ambitions.

Coach Gannon told the Pioneer: 'It is un-usual for a fighter to pull out of an international fixture at short notice but this is just a friendly tournament.'

Smurthwaite added: 'Paul is working hard and is putting on a bit of weight as he is growing up. He will take on anyone which is why we have to look out for him sometimes. He needs to learn the international game properly.'

Butler, who lost to Birmingham's Khalid Saeed at last December's ABA Finals, will need more England opportunities soon if he is to fulfil his dream of representing Britain at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

* Vauxhall's Alex Foulkes reached the class six quarter finals in the Junior ABAs at York Hall in Bethnal Green and met Oscar Webb, a fighter almost on home turf as his Repton club is just two miles away.

The bout was sewn up in Webb's favour when in the fourth Foulkes dug deep to launch a mini-comeback. It was not enough, however, as he lost to a unanimous points decision.

In the Novice Finals at Everton Park Sports Centre, Motors welterweight Steve Higginson started well against Lowe House St Helens' Gary Ormerod until two good shots, in the second and third, inflicted standing counts on Higginson, the second ending the bout.

Lightweight Andy Telford was pipped in the third and deciding round by Sefton's Mark Cameron.