BUTCHER WILL GO AFTER TITLE
‘Well boxer to fight Farooq for the bantamweight belt
Commonwealth title, before a late mix-up arising from former manager’s Sam Kynoch’s departure from promoters MTK Global saw his chance dissipate.
He i s putting the disappointment behind him as he is now gearing up for a huge fight against unbeaten British title holder Kash Farooq.
And he is certain he has the tools to bag the belt at the Emirates Arena showdown on November 30.
Butcher told the Wishaw Press: “The Commonwealth fight was all done and dusted. Then Sam Kynoch split from MTK and I had to choose to go with him or stay with MTK.
“I chose to stay with MTK but my understanding was the contract for the Commonwealth fight was still standing.
“Then suddenly it was gone and Lee Mcgregor got the shot instead.
“I feel like the wool was pulled over my eyes a wee bit, but my new manager Danny Vaughan has got me this British title shot and I’m over the moon. I just can’t wait to get in the ring again.”
Butcher knows he has a tough task ahead of him when he takes on unbeaten Farooq at the televised showdown.
Kash blew his opponent Jamie Wilson away to win the British title in just 73 seconds.
But Butcher feels his experience and size give him the keys to inflict Farooq’s first defeat.
He said: “I was there when Kash got the belt and to be honest I thought that was a poor British title fight.
“I predicted a win for Kash and he is on a good winning streak. But I’m more than capable of handling him. I’ve boxed boys at a higher level than him throughout my career in big title fights.
“Kash has never gone 12 rounds before, and he won’t be able to keep up his pace over 12 rounds. I’m bigger than him as well which will come into play in later rounds.
“His mistakes are quite open. I’ll exploit them better than others have to win that fight.”
Butcher knows winning the British belt would put him at the top of a red-hot bantamweight division, which also comprises Shotts boxer Scott Allan - who now holds the Celtic title - and Commonwealth champion Lee Mcgregor.
Butcher added: “The division is on fire in Scotland at the moment. Scott Allan just got the Celtic belt, Mcgregor got the Commonwealth title in the end and Wilson is still in there.
“It’s a great mix. Allan could be a great fight, we know a lot of the same people so that could happen.
“I just want to be in good 50- 50 fights. That makes boxing so much more entertaining. I’d say the fight with Kash is a 50-50.
“After stop-start camps I’m just looking forward to putting the hours in in the gym and being ready for that fight.”
Also competing on the undercard will be Motherwell flyweight Reece Mcfadden, making his pro debut for MTK. over into this Saturday’s cup tie against Lanark at the Beltane.
Mcguinness said: “I was absolutely delighted with the boys after the win at East Kilbride.
“The weather wasn’t great in the lead up to the game so we went with three up front and I told the boys to get after them early on.
“We were up three goals after just 12 minutes so to their credit they really came out of the blocks well.
“That’s us three unbeaten now and there’s nothing better than a cup run.
“People said about the cup being detrimental to the club’s league form last season but it made people sit up and take note ofwishaw.
“It also brings a lot of confidence to the players. Hopefully we’ll carry that momentum into the Lanark game on Saturday.”
Mcguinness made sweeping changes to the squad in the summer, with the club believing fresh faces were needed to improve on last season.
And while the boys took some time to gel together, Mcguinness is confident they are now past the bedding in stage and ready to push on up the table.
He said:“with a brand new group of players there was always going to be a settling in period.
“The getting to know each other stage is over now though and the guys are really taking on board how we want them to go about their business.
“There’s a real confidence in the squad now and the three loanees from Stirling Albion have injected pace and youthfulness into the team.
“There’s good competition for places now and the body count is up in training.
“People are trying to claim a jersey now and hopefully that continues. “With a few games in hand on other teams I’m confident we can climb the table and get in the mix.”