Boxer Iain Butcher confident ahead of International Masters bout

Dec 5 2012 by Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

Iain Butcher

Unbeaten Jerviston boxer Iain Butcher said he is prepared to go the distance in an effort to capture the International Masters Super Flyweight title on Friday.

The 20-year-old takes on South African Michael Ramabeletsa at Rivals Gym in what will be his sixth pro fight, but the first over 10 rounds.

Butcher goes into the contest as a strong favourite but the boxer expects a long night and will bide his time in an effort to complete the job.

“My training camp has gone well and I’m 100-per-cent ready to take the fight and win,” he said this week. “I do not expect it to be an early finish because he is a tough guy and I have been doing 10 and 12 round sparring. South Africans are difficult fighters who I have fought many times in my amateur days. But I expect to come out on top, no problem.”

The Keir Hardie ABC ace continued: “I have seen Michael box a few times. I know he has changed his training team and there has been an improvement because he has won his last couple of fights.

“If he lands he could hurt me but that’s only if he lands that punch.

“I’m stepping up a weight slightly but have been sparing with heavier guys and doing 10 hard rounds at a good pace.”

It’s hoped victory for Butcher will land him a British title eliminator in the new year, with current British and Commonwealth flyweight champion Kevin Satchell a future target.

Having enjoyed a successful amateur career, the 2010 Commonwealth Games boxer has high hopes he can replicate that in the professional ranks.

Butcher added: “We are trying to get the word out that I am ready for a British title fight. Come summer time, I should be in line for a title shot. My promotor Paul (Graham) is hoping to get a show in late February to take me up to seven fights.

“But I don’t feel I should stop at British level as a professional. I would like to keep a British title outright and then progress to European and World level.

“First, I need to take care of things on Friday and what I have been working on is stepping in and combinations to hurt folk and win rounds comfortably.

“I am slowly getting there, the last time I fought I had my opponent down three times.”

On the undercard, 19-year-old Wishaw fighter Mark Parvin will take on Johnny Greaves in his second pro-fight having defeated Sid Razack last month.

Promotor Graham said: “Johnny is one of the characters of the British scene. However I feel Mark will stay composed.”