The Bruise Brothers - flyweight Iain Butcher keeps it in the family

Jan 9 2013 By Andrew Weston

They are best mates and brothers in arms but rising boxing star Iain Butcher and coach, elder sibling Eddie, insist emotion will not get in the way of their number one goal — to reach the very top of the sport.

The pair have been joined at the hip since Jerviston flyweight Butcher went professional 18 months ago.

Following a successful amateur career, the 20-year-old is undefeated in six and hoping to fight for a British title this year.

And with a potential date being lined up for the summer, Eddie Butcher is set to quit his job as a spray painter to go full-time with Iain.

He said: “We struggle to get sparring in Scotland and a lot of pro gyms spar during the day, so it’s hard to fit in because I work during the day.

“If we get him the right sparring down south, it would give him the best chance in this game. We have got some good sponsors which takes the pressure off. Hopefully that continues and it would help a lot if I could train him full-time.

“I work up in Shotts with my dad and my job is important. Everybody needs money to live but it would not be a great loss.”

Eddie, 24, had to quit boxing during a promising amateur career after dislocating both his shoulders. He found it tough initially but was encouraged to start coaching and became Iain’s coach before he went professional.

Whilst admitting their relationship has had to change now they are boxer/trainer, Eddie would not have it any other way.

“He is my brother and my best mate but it kind of works for us,” Eddie claimed.

“When it comes to training things get more serious. It is not a case of letting him do what he wants. Things have got to be disciplined and done properly. Things cannot be taken lightly. You see a lot of boxers who get hurt because they are with guys who take them down the wrong path or take fights when not ready.

“First and foremost Iain’s safety is the most important thing. We wont take fights if he’s not ready but in saying that I think he is ready to go further. It is about getting to these places and getting him harder fights.”

Promotor Paul Graham described adding Iain Butcher to his stable as like ‘signing David Beckham.’

He has impressed in each of his six professional bouts, most recently against South African Michael Ramabeletsa where he secured a 97-94 victory at Rivals Gym, Wishaw.

Eddie is in no doubt he can back up his victories to date by landing a British title this year. Yet he believes that will only be the beginning of a stellar career for his wee brother.

He said: “You don’t like to get ahead of yourself but when we first turned pro, we looked at the boys at British level and knew that Iain could beat them. The thing which was lacking was his experience but he has had six fights now.

“You take it one step at a time at this level but he boxed at the top level as an amateur. When he was 17, he was mixing with the more experienced guys and I think he can do the same as a pro.

“I reckon he will have a British title by the age of 21 but boxing is a lot about politics and trying to get your name out there. We can’t get people to fight Iain but once you have the titles, boys need to fight you.

“When he has fights at domestic level, I think he can go all the way, certainly as far as he wants to.”

Despite interest from several top promoters and being advised to stay in the amateur game, the Butcher brothers opted to join Graham’s Prospect Boxing stable.

The flyweight is now on course for a British title fight in the summer.

“Paul Graham has been great,” Eddie said. “When we first went pro we were looking at more established promoters but a lot of them don’t have many shows.

“Tommy Gilmour also said it was a waste of time going pro because there were no guys at flyweight. But, in the amateurs, Iain was only fighting two or three times a year anyway.

“So we sat down and had a meeting with Paul. He had a plan written down and stuck to his word promising us five fights a year. In October Iain had his fifth fight which was a year since he went pro. Everythng is now track for 2013."