THE UNDERCARD
There is lots to look forward to on a stacked, high-quality bill at the O2
IT is not often that a non-title fight supersedes a contest for a world crown, but that is the case this Saturday (May 5) on the Matchroom Boxing/hayemaker Ringstar co-promotion at the O2 Arena in Greenwich. The Tony Bellew-david Haye rematch is the bout that the viewers will be tuning in to watch on Sky Sports Box Office (UK) and AWE (US), but the fascinating Paul Butler-emmanuel Rodriguez clash for the vacant IBF bantamweight belt should not be overlooked.
Butler is no stranger to the IBF 118lb strap, having relieved fellow Englishman Stuart Hall of the championship via split verdict in June 2014. The Ellesmere Port man relinquished the title after less than four weeks in order to try his luck at claiming world honours in the superflyweight category – a division in which he had previously reigned as British and Commonwealth king. Unfortunately for the “Baby Faced Assassin”, this decision did not prove fruitful.
Despite enjoying home advantage against then-ibf super-fly ruler Zolani Tete in March 2015, Butler’s quest to become a two-weight world titlist ended in despair, as a stunning uppercut from Tete removed him from his senses in the eighth round. The 29-year-old has fought nine times since this defeat, winning every bout. His most notable victory during this period came just over seven months ago versus old foe Hall, whom he unanimously outpointed.
At world level, the bantamweight division is currently loaded with domestic interest in the UK. In addition to Butler, Hall and South Africa’s WBO boss Tete – who is promoted by Queensberry Promotions in Britain – there is also WBA champ Ryan Burnett and former IBF title-holders Jamie Mcdonnell and Lee Haskins. Butler knows that a win this weekend would no doubt lead to a highprofile collision with one of these rivals.
“I’m very excited for this – it’s an honour to contest the IBF title again,” Butler stated. “It’s a big test, but I’m confident. I want to win the title back then hopefully defend it, which I didn’t have the chance to do last time.
“It seemed like a good idea at the time to vacate, but looking back now I should have kept hold of the belt. I should have worked on my strength and conditioning, filled out and defended my title. I’ve definitely got some unfinished business with this – it’d be brilliant to go out there and win it again.”
Standing in Butler’s way of becoming a world champ once more is 25-yearold Puerto Rican hotshot Rodriguez. As an amateur, the Vega Baja resident garnered a gold medal at the Youth Olympics and silver at the Youth Worlds (both in 2010), as well as overcoming serious injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Since turning professional in June 2012, he has racked up 17 straight victories, with 12 coming inside the distance. In fact, seven of his last eight fights have been won by KO or stoppage. Butler, however, is unfazed by these eye-catching statistics.
“It’s a tougher test than the last time I won the title, but I’m up for the challenge, as I’ve improved myself,” the 26-1 (14) Brit said. “Rodriguez is touted to be this next big superstar, but how many of them come over here [to the UK] and get turned on their heads?
“He looks like a good kid. He likes to work at mid-range but, in truth, I don’t want to say too much about what he does and doesn’t do well. I don’t care how big and tough he is – we both have two arms and two legs, so let’s get it on. I can see this being a very good fight. We both like to go body to head, head to body, but I’ll come out being the two-time IBF bantamweight champion.”
Although Rodriguez has looked impressive in his pro career, the moreexperienced Butler represents his most difficult assignment so far. The sole noteworthy name on “Manny’s” ledger is that of Alberto Guevara, who has twice unsuccessfully challenged for world titles. When they met in June 2016, Rodriguez triumphed on a wide unanimous decision. His match with Butler, though, will mark the first time that he has ever fought outside of North America in the paid ranks.
In addition to a partisan crowd, ➤
‘HOW MANY COME OVER HERE AND GET TURNED ON THEIR HEADS?’
➤ Rodriguez will also have to contend with his versatile opponent’s significant skillset. Comfortable operating on the front or back foot, the smart-boxing Butler allies sharp punching with a sound defence. Busy, fast and technically proficient, he utilises his quick, nimble feet to navigate the ring intelligently, while also making use of clever feints and upper-body movement to avoid incoming assaults. His left to the midsection is an effective weapon, as are his rapid-fire flurries to head and body.
Like Butler, Rodriguez is adept at scoring with combinations both upstairs and downstairs, including left-rights, uppercuts and straight shots. The heavyhanded, attack-minded visitor cuts off the space well and leads with a composed, consistent jab. When he gets into range he is an accurate, ferocious hooker, yet he can be tagged himself. This is undoubtedly Rodriguez’s acid test, but the feeling is that he can rise to the occasion.
Putney’s 2016 Olympic silver medallist Joe Joyce goes for his first professional belt in only his fourth outing when he challenges Jamaica’s Commonwealth heavyweight champion Lenroy Thomas, 22-4-1 (10).
After stopping ex-british title contestant Ian Lewison in eight on his pro debut in October, Joyce was then disappointingly paired with lesser adversaries in the shape of Rudolf Jozic (February) and Donnie Palmer (March). Predictably, the 32-yearold Londoner swept aside the outgunned duo, each in the opening session. This step up in class for Joyce is therefore a welcome
one.
Thomas, 33, is best known for his two bouts in Sheffield with spirited slugger Dave Allen. Their most recent meeting two months ago ended in a first-frame technical draw after an accidental headbutt left Allen with a nasty cut. In their initial clash in May last year, Thomas tired in the later rounds after starting strongly. Allen’s bulldozing approach seemed to have won him the fight, but the split verdict contentiously went the way of Thomas. Having been beaten inside schedule three times, the omens do not look good for Thomas against a man-mountain who applies relentless pressure with his powerful two-fisted onslaughts. The burly Florida-based southpaw is capable of landing fluent and swift combos on the
counter, but in order to do so he will have to find his way past Joyce’s methodical jab, which is easier said than done.
The third championship contest on the show sees Brentwood’s Martin J.
Ward, 19-0-2 (9), put his European and Commonwealth super-featherweight straps on the line against Belfast’s James
Tennyson, 21-2 (17). An unbeaten former British titlist, the 26-year-old Ward boasts wins over a clutch of solid domestic operators. Last time out in December, he made the move up to European level, where he KO’D Juli Giner in six. Tennyson, meanwhile, came out second best when attempting to capture British honours down at featherweight against Ryan Walsh in April 2016. Body blows proved the 24-yearold’s undoing in the fifth. He has, however, won five in a row since this setback.
The fluid and fleetfooted Ward exhibits astute lateral movement, though he can be caught, as evidenced by the fact that he has been floored on a couple of occasions. Tennyson is sometimes slightly wild when opening up, yet if he connects, Ward will certainly know about it – the challenger’s 74 per cent knockout ratio highlights his punch-power. While Ward is not generally viewed as a particularly hefty hitter, Tennyson cannot afford to be reckless when coming forward, especially considering both of his losses have come via stoppage. The 12-round all-southpaw supermiddleweight battle between Islington’s three-time British title challenger John Ryder, 25-4 (13), and Swindon’s former Commonwealth super-welter king Jamie Cox, 25-1 (14), is another example of top matchmaking on a quality bill. In October, Cox’s crack at George Groves’ WBA super-middle crown lasted less than four full frames before he was clinically dispatched. The 31-year-old returned in March with a two-session blowout of the outclassed Harry Matthews, during which Cox demonstrated his typical combative and feisty approach. Ryder, 29, has appeared rejuvenated since going up in weight from 160 to 168lbs last year. After unanimously outscoring the bighitting Adam Etches in February, he pushed the current British and Commonwealth champion Rocky Fielding extremely close during a split decision defeat in April. Then, in October, he blasted out the decent Patrick Nielsen in five. Seasoned and rugged, the assertive Ryder lets his hands go freely, while making sure that he bobs, weaves and covers up well behind a high guard. With Nielsen being a portsider – like himself and Cox [right] – he is coming into this fight on the back of a perfect prepatory run-out. THE VERDICT It is time to find out whether Rodriguez is the real deal.