Butler Decisions Sultan; Wins Interim Bantamweight Title

Paul Butler won the WBO Interim Bantamweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Jonas Sultan in Liverpool, England.

But was originally supposed to take on John Riel Casimero, but Casimero was ruled out of the fight due to Casimero’s use of a sauna.

Butler won by scores of 116-112, 118-110 and 117-111.

Butler, 117.8 lbs of Liverpool, ENG won by scores of and is now a two-time world champion with a record of 34-2. Sultan, 117.6 lbs of Philippines is 18-6.

The new champion said: “It’s unbelievable, what a feeling!

“I have waited a long time to be a two-time world champion.

“It’s been a long journey and we only had 48 hours to come up with a gameplan for Sultan but that’s what I can do.  I nullified the bull tonight.”

McGrail Stops Lopez in 4

Peter McGrail remained undefeated with a fourth round stoppage over Uriel Lopez in a scheduled eight-round featherweight bout.

In round four, McGrail dropped Lopez and the bout was stopped.

McGrail, 124.4 lbs of Liverpool, ENG is 4-0 with two knockouts. Lopez, 124 lbs of Mexico is 15-18-1.

McGrail, now 4-0, said: “I am going to keep getting better and better.

“And hopefully, in the future, there will be some big nights coming to Liverpool.  We’re the next stock coming through, and we will be bringing world titles back to this city.”

Meneses Shocks Maxwell in Scoring 9th Round stoppage

Alejandro Meneses scored a stunning ninth round stoppage over previously undefeated Sam Maxwell in round nine of their 10-round super lightweight bout.

In round four, Meneses dropped Maxwell with a big right.

After battering Maxwell for the better parts of rounds seven and eight, Meneses dropped Maxwell with a hard right in round nine. Meneses continued his assault until the bout was stopped at 2:39.

Meneses, 134.2 lbs of Mexico is 16-5 with nine knockouts. Maxwell, 136.8 lbs of Liverpool, ENG is 16-1.

Dickens Stops Gago in 5

James Dickens stopped Andoni Gago in round five of their 10-round featherweight bout.

In round three, Dickens scored a knockdown with a solid left. In round five, it was a left uppercut that sent Gago down and the fight was stopped at 2:52.

Dickens is now 31-4 with 12 knockouts. Gago, 125.2 lbs of Spain is 25-5-4.

“The next step for me is a big world title eliminator, if not a world title.

“I need a world title next.  It can be Leigh Wood or Josh Warrington, but I would prefer Leigh Wood, who I have beaten before.

“It is hard to see another man with your world title.”

Fielding Stops Laine in Three

Former world titlist Rocky Fielding stopped Timo Laine in round three of their eight-round light heavyweight bout.

Fielding landed a hard combination that forced a referee stoppage at 1:34.

Fielding is now 30-2 with 18 knockouts. Laine is 30-18.

“I had never retired; I was just sitting back with the pandemic and was concentrating on my family and kids.

“But it’s good to be back fighting and the break has done me the world of good, I’ve been boxing since the age of nine without any break.”

Frankie Stringer made a successful pro debut with a four-round decision over Simas Volosinas in a lightweight fight.

Stringer of England won by a 40-36 card and is 1-0. Volosinas of Lithuania is 7-103.




MATCHROOM BOXING SPAIN RETURN TO BARCELONA FOR EUROPEAN TITLE DOUBLE-HEADER

Matchroom Boxing Spain will return to the Pabellón de la Vall d`Hebron in Barcelona on Friday March 26 for a huge night of European Title action as local favourite Sandor Martin puts his Super-Lightweight crown on the line against Kay Prosper and Featherweight Champion Andoni Gago defends his Featherweight belt against Gavin McDonell, live on DAZN
 
Barcelona’s Martin (36-2, 13 KOs) claimed the European 140lbs Title by dominating Italy’s Andrea Scarpa and becoming the first man to stop him in July 2019, before widely outpointing Britain’s former champion Joe Hughes when he headlined the first-ever DAZN show from his home country in December that year.
 
Luton’s English Champion Prosper (14-1-1, 7 KOs) beat Sam O’Maison at London’s iconic York Hall in September 2019 at the second time of asking to become the town’s first ever national champion. ‘Special K’ had missed out to O’Maison earlier in the year, with a controversial draw, but the now 36-year-old took the rematch unanimously on points to claim his first professional Title.
 
Bilbao’s Gago (24-3-3, 7 KOs) won the 126lbs Euro Title in his home city back in June 2019, outpointing Madrid’s Jesus Sanchez to earn a split decision win. ‘El Macho’ won his next two contests early, stopping Carlos Arroyo in two rounds a year ago before earning a fifth-round technical decision against Brayan Mairena last October after an unintentional headbutt.
 
Doncaster’s two-time Super-Bantamweight World Title challenger McDonnell (22-2-2, 6 KOs) attempts to become a two-weight European Champion after winning and defending the 122lbs Title in 2015. The 34-year-old is looking to revive his career after moving up in weight following his loss to Daniel Roman in Chicago in 2018.  
 
Also on the card, Torrelavega’s European Super-Welterweight Champion Sergio ‘El Nino’ Garcia (33-0, 14 KOs) keeps busy as he looks to defend his Title later in the year and Bilbao’s former European Welterweight ruler Kerman ‘Revolver’ Lejarraga (31-2, 24 KOs) aims to make it four wins in a row since losing his belt to David Avanesyan.
 
Matchroom Sport Managing Director Eddie Hearn said: “This is a huge card for Spanish boxing and we can’t wait to return on March 26. As Matchroom Boxing continues its global expansion, Spain remains a big focus for us and this double European Title card features some of the country’s strongest talents with two hungry Brits looking to come and rip the Titles from them. Don’t miss all the action live on DAZN.”