Former IBF bantamweight champion Paul Butler (36-2, 15 KOs) outpointed late sub Jonas Sultan (18-6, 11 KOs) over twelve rounds to claim the vacant WBO interim bantamweight world title on Friday night at Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena. Scores were 116-112, 118-110, 117-111.
Butler, who won the IBF belt in 2014 but never defended it, was originally slated to challenge WBO bantamweight champion John Riel Casimero, but Casimero was forced to pull out due to weight issues and will likely be stripped.
Butler stinks. He gets obliterated by Casimero, Inoue, or Donaire.
I wouldn’t say stinks, that’s harsh for a fighter who’s level was way over mine as an amateur and who became world champion as a pro ! But agree that the fighters you mentioned in your post are better..
Well-said. Any fighter who makes it to even the level of world class can’t rightly be said to “stink,” — to say nothing of actually winning a title.
But, of course, it’s another lever higher to be competent enough to successfully defend it a few times. Then there are those champions who reign long against the very best of opposition and even win titles in multiple weight classes.
From world class to elite, they’re all skilled fighters who are capable of competing at a high level — and fun to watch.
Butler won’t be champion for too long, but I think by winning this fight he just got himself a big payday as whoever wins between Inoue and Donaire will likely look at him next to be undisputed.
Correction .CASIMERO weight it’s 117.8 pounds it’s have a video of weight..the real issue is sauna ok?
No, the BRITISH BOXING BOARD OF CONTROL found that Casimero was more than 10 pounds over the limit less than a week before the fight, lossing 10 pounds in three days and having to use the sauna to lose even more. Any boxer can use sauna to shed a moderate amount of excess with out being penalized, but Casimero was way over the health risk limits
Very weak champion, obliterated by Zolani Tete (ko) and Emmanuel Rodriguez (lopsided decision), Butler might be elevated to world champion if Casimero is stripped. If that happens, he will be steered away from the real elites at 118, and milk as much is possible the title, no reason to throw him under the bus knowing beforehand what gonna happen
Oddsmakers made one of their few mistakes on this one as Butler was 3-1 underdog-nice payoff on this one.