Scottish star wants Jamie Conlan clash
Iain Butcher [15(4)-2(0)] has stated his willingness to fight Commonwealth super flyweight champ Jamie Conlan next.
The straight-talking Scot wants titles in the new year, and has his eye on the rainbow belt that is currently wrapped around the Belfast war-lover’s waist.
Butcher won at the weekend on the MGM Scotland ‘Lights Out’ show, outpointing (59:55) Mexican Joseafat Reyes, and expressed his desire for big fights afterwards.
The Motherwell boxer told IFL TV that “I’m just looking forward to a good 2017, hopefully I can get back to full fitness I’ve had a few injuries this year that’s held me back. I spoke to Anto [Fitzpatrick] before the fight, and if all goes well and we stay in the gym and stay injury-free, we’re looking for titles. Anto and Sam [Kynoch] have been saying that I’m title level fighter so I’m looking for the Commonwealth title, the British title.”
While he is not focusing on won name in particular, and a rematch with defeator Kevin Satchell appeals, Conlan is the first name on Butche’s lips. He outlined how “I was saying to Anto maybe the possibility of a match-up with Jamie Conlan, if they’re interested. I know he’s got a World title eliminator, so I don’t know what path he’ll go down or if he’ll vacate the Commonwealth, but I’m more than happy enough to box Jamie – a nice lad, but as I said, boxing’s a business, if I need to put it aside to box than I’m willing to do that. I want to mix with these guys and I believe you’ll see the best of me when I’m mixing with these sort of guys.”
Butcher, like Conlan [18(11)-0], is managed by MGM, so any possible fight could be easily made. However, whether Conlan would be willing to jump into a Commonwealth title defence ahead of his WBO World title eliminator is another story. On one hand, it offers him the chance to build momentum and further big fight experience – but on the other, it would be a big risk to take.
Watch Iain Butcher’s interview with IFL TV in full below:
