60-SECOND INTERVIEW
Paul Wheeler talks to a man who is not on helium
‘I LOVE THE WAY ARTURO GATTI ALWAYS WENT OUT ON HIS SHIELD. HE WAS A WARRIOR IN THE RING’ Connor Butler
When and why you started boxing:
I was 10 when I first started. I used to do martial arts and Thai boxing, then I went to Kirkby ABC with [fellow current pros] Brad Strand and Nick Ball to try boxing. I liked it because it was a bit more organised.
Favourite all-time fighter:
Arturo Gatti because I love the way he always went out on his shield. He was a warrior.
Best fight you’ve seen:
All three of the Arturo Gatti-micky Ward fights were unbelievable. Marvin Hagler-thomas Hearns and Naseem Hamed-kevin Kelley. The recent Dillian Whyte-dereck Chisora fight, too.
Personal career highlight:
Winning a Junior European bronze medal in Russia [in 2014] when I was 16.
Toughest opponent:
I boxed Rufat Huseynov from Azerbaijan when I was 14. He won the Youth Olympics [in 2014].
Best and worst attributes as a boxer:
My biggest strength is that I’m an all-rounder – I can box and fight. As for my weaknesses, that’s for my trainer, Paul Stevenson, to tell me. I’m always aiming to improve.
Training tip:
Make sure you’re dedicated.
Favourite meal/restaurant:
I always get a medium-rare 12oz rib-eye steak from Hickory’s Smokehouse in Southport.
Best friends in boxing:
My trainer and all the lads at the Everton Red Triangle gym. I’ve known them my whole boxing life.
Other sportsman you would like to be:
A footballer, they earn a fortune!
‘STARSTRUCK? NOT REALLY. I ALWAYS SEE LIAM SMITH IN MY LOCAL COSTA!’
Last film/tv show you saw:
Top Boy was the last TV show I watched.
Who would play you in a film of your life:
Leonardo Dicaprio or Charlie Hunnam.
Have you ever been starstruck:
Not really, no. I always see Liam Smith in my local Costa!
Last time you cried:
I can’t remember the last time I cried.
Best advice received:
‘The cream always rises to the top.’ That’s from my dad. ‘Think before you speak.’ That’s from my mum.
Worst rumour about yourself:
On one of my interviews on Youtube, some fella has left a comment saying that I sound like I’m on helium! That made me chuckle!
Something not many people know about you:
I won quite a lot of titles in Thai boxing when I was a kid.