Hot talent Paul Butler will be looking to follow in the much bigger footsteps of his Liverpool compatriot David Price, the British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion, by scooping his own version of the Lonsdale belt, when he challenges John Donnelly for the vacant British Super-Flyweight title at the Liverpool Olympia on Friday 9th November.

Butler, who has impressed in his fledgling career so far, putting together a run of 8 consecutive wins since turning pro in 2010, will be looking to add his name to the red and blue city’s long list of emerging talent capable of mixing it at the highest level, by picking up his first major title.

Big man Price (6ft 8in) stands over a foot taller than little man Butler (5ft 6in) but steps into a contest of similar magnitude when he takes on fellow former Olympian Audley Harrison at the Liverpool Echo Arena this Saturday (live and exclusive on BoxNation, Sky Ch. 437 and Virgin Ch. 465) and Butler has every confidence that the man dubbed ‘Britain’s Next Big Thing’ in many quarters, will have all the tools in his arsenal to make it a hard night for former Olympic Gold medallist Harrison.

Ellesmere Port star Butler said “David Price has shown the nation in his last few fights what many in the trade have known for years, that he can go on and compete at world level. Harrison will be his toughest test to date, he’s a big man who has all the skills as he proved by winning an Olympic gold medal at the Sydney games. But I think that David has that killer instinct that will see him through and again impress the fans in the process.”

He continued “Another Lonsdale belt will be coming to Liverpool either way on the 9th November, to join those already held by David and Bellew, as both me and Donnelly are Merseyside born and bred. But I tell you now, that the belt will be coming home with me and not with him.”

Butler v Donnelly headlines a packed card at the Olympia from Queensberry Promotions who take a break from their successful run of BoxAcademy shows, to bring a double title show that features Ovill McKenzie’s Commonwealth Light heavyweight Title defence against former WBO Cruiserweight king Enzo Maccarinelli.

Former British and Commonwealth Middleweight champ, Paul Smith also makes a long awaited return to the ring after a year absence following his loss to George Groves, whilst brother Liam is also in action as he looks to put his hand up for a shot at the British Welterweight title. Additionally, Ellesmere Port’s former amateur starlet, Matty Fagan, makes his highly anticipated pro debut in what is shaping up to be a packed bill.

Tickets, priced at £30, £40 and £60 are available from Ticketmaster on 0844 844 0444 or www.ticketmaster.co.uk

AUDLEY HARRISON’S BRUSH WITH BOREDOM

 

AUDLEY HARRISON faces the biggest challenge of his career on Saturday night when he goes head-to-head with a wall of paint drying live on Facebook. 

Research by online betting exchange Betfair has revealed that more than three  quarters (78%) of British boxing fans would rather watch paint dry than the heavyweight boxer. With that in mind Betfair will give boxing fans exactly what they want – uninterrupted coverage of a wall of wet magnolia. 

If the online video of a wall of paint drying receives more than 10,000 views, Betfair will donate £5,000 to a charity of Audley’s choice. Harrison may have won an Olympic Gold Medal in 2000, but his non-fight with David Haye a decade later in 2010, in which he landed just one punch, has been likened to watching to watching paint dry by lovers of the sport.  

Betfair’s Alex Bake said: “Sadly the fans never really warmed to Audley, despite his Olympic gold medal win in Sydney 12 years ago. Over the years he has boxed in some serious snoozefests and it has come to the point where the punters have just had enough. 

“David Price is a great fighter but we are not even convinced that his presence will tempt fans to watch Audley in action. But we'll see what happens on Saturday night...”

If you would like to join the crowds watching paint dry, please join us on the Betfair Facebook page from 9PM on Saturday 13th October at www.facebook.com/Betfair .

 

Price v Harrison – Betfair bet: 1-9 Price, 9-1 Harrison, 69-1 the draw

AIBA have confirmed that Katie Taylor will receive the 2012 AIBA World Elite Female Boxer of the Year Award for an historic third time.

The 2012 AIBA Award Ceremony will take place in Yerevan, Armenia on December 7th.

Taylor , who scooped the prestigious AIBA Award in 2008 and 2010, is the current Olympic, World, European and European Union lightweight champion.

The 26-year-old claimed gold at the AIBA World Women's Championships and Olympic Games this year and also picked up the Best Boxer Award from both tournaments in China and the UK.

"Katie has won the award three times now and that has never been done before. It's a great honour and we're absolutely delighted", said Taylor's coach and dad, Pete Taylor.

Meanwhile, Tyrone's Michael Gallagher - who scooped the Best Referee and Judge (R&J) Award at the 2012 Olympics - will be presented with the 2012 Best World R&J Award in Yerevan.

This is the second time that the Omagh man, a member of the Clonoe BC, has won the top award.

The 2012 AIBA Annual Awards will take place in conjunction with the final banquet of the 2012 AIBA World Youth Championships.

Yerevan has proved to be a happy hunting ground for Irish boxing in the past as Joe Ward won light-middleweight gold in the city at the 2009 AIBA World Junior Championships.

The selection committee for the 2012 AIBA Annual Awards was chaired by AIBA President, Dr Ching-Kuo Wu, and composed by AIBA Commission Chairpersons.

AIBA Award Winners 2012

Best Elite Men Boxer of the Year - Oleksandr USYK (Ukraine)

Best Elite Women Boxer of the Year - Katie TAYLOR (Ireland)

Best Referee & Judge of the Year - Michael GALLAGHER (Ireland)

Best Coach of the Year - David HALLOWAY (Great Britain)

Best Technical Official of the Year - Franco FALCINELLI (Italy)

Best WSB Boxer of the Year - Sergiy DEREVYANCHENKO (Ukraine)

Best WSB Referee & Judge of the Year - Jean-Robert LAINE (France)

Best WSB Coach of the Year - Francesco DAMIANI (Italy)

Best WSB Supervisor of the Year - Luiz BOSELLI (Brazil)

Best Sportsmanship of the Year - Garip ERCUYUMCU (Turkey)