Paul Butler looks to be a step closer to making his ring return after signing a new advisory deal.

The former IBF bantamweight world champion has been out of action since December last year.

Butler, who took part in a six-round contest on Merseyside last time out, earned world honours back in 2014 when he outpointed Stuart Hall at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle.

And the 31-year-old has bolstered his managerial team with the addition of powerhouse MTK Global in an advisory capacity.

"I’m over the moon to be joining the MTK team,” said the man from Ellesmere Port. “It’s a team I’ve always looked at and thought: ‘Wow, they are taking over,' so I'm very excited about the journey I'm about to begin.”

Nordine Oubaali, the WBC champion at bantamweight, is represented by MTK Global, with ‘Baby-Faced Assassin’ Butler (31-2, 15 KOs) holding a lofty with both the green and gold organisation as well as the aforementioned IBF, whose title he has fought for on three occasions, losing to Zolani Tete at super-flyweight back in March 2015 and Emmanuel Rodriguez, back up at bantamweight, this time for the vacant title back in May 2018 on the undercard of the rematch between Tony Bellew and David Haye at the O2 Arena in London, exclusively live on Sky Sports Box Office.

“I’m hoping to win a world title again,” Butler, who was a day out from announcing his next fight when the enforced COVID-19 hiatus came into play, continued. “Over the last 18 months, it’s been a bit of a struggle not getting the fights I’ve wanted.

“I want the big titles and world titles as that’s my main goal, so whoever has a world title I will face, but I’m willing to fight anybody they put in front of me.”

MTK Global also represents a trio of Butler’s gym-mates –– who train with Joe Gallagher in Bolton –– in the shape of Hosea Burton, former WBC and IBO world female super-featherweight title challenger Natasha Jonas and ex-WBO world super-welterweight king Liam Smith.

“Look at what MTK are doing and delivering for them. I can’t wait to be a part of it and be adding some titles to their stable.”

News regarding Butler’s ring return will be revealed in due course.