Paul Butlin Interview

Paul Butlin is a hard working Heavyweight from Melton Mowbray in the midlands of England. He started boxing at 24, after training in martial arts, and turned pro at 26 so has been learning on the job so far, his 12-9 record does not show his boxing ability.

On the 20th of June he faces arguably his toughest fight to date against the highly touted Kronk fighter Jonathan Banks on the undercard of Klitschko vs Chageav. Banks recently fought Tomas Adamek for the IBF Cruiserweight title and gave a brave showing before being knocked out in the 8th by the Ring Magazine Cruiserweight champion, but against Butlin he is fighting at Heavyweight.

Paul is ready for the fight saying, “ I boxed a 8 rounder a few weeks ago (vs Derek Chisora) and a 10 rounder a few weeks before that (vs Lee Swaby) so that’s 18 rounds in a month so I’m ready.”

Paul is going to Germany to win, He said that Banks was a stylish boxer but “He won’t be able to be stylish when a 17 stone man is in front of him.” Paul’s attitude is a credit to the sport as he is always willing to learn and promises to throw more punches this fight and said “I have been working on my overhand right, He (Banks) carries his left low.” He is up for this fight as he was honest about that “It is not good money but it is a great opportunity to fight in front of 60,000 people.”

This isn’t the first time he has boxed in Germany; he fought the rising German Prospect Sebastion Koebar in February of 2008. Sebastian beat him on an Unanimous decision over 8 rounds but Paul disputes that.
“I beat Koebar, there were two guys in my team who said I won, there were two European officials who said I deserved the victory and Micky Vann said I deserved a draw. It was disgusting.”

However he still likes fighting in Europe as he says, “You are well looked after.” And “The money is good.”
He also has a little surprise in store for the German crowd on the 20th of June.

“I’m going to go to the ring with a German football top on, I’ll get cheered there (In Germany) but my mates wont like it. I’ll probably get hate mail when I get home.”

Also on the bill is Michael Sprott who faces the unbeaten Alexander Ustinov. So even if David Haye has pulled out of the fight with Wladimir Klitschko, we still have two Brits to support that night.