Fightzone and Battle Academy – in affiliation with Stephen Vaughan – will kick off 2023 in model with a prime title struggle on Feb twenty fifth, dwell from Malta.
Headlining on the Hilton Lodge in St. Julians might be Connor Butler versus Craig Derbyshire contesting the Commonwealth Flyweight Title. This historic event – the primary time ever {that a} Commonwealth belt can have been contested on the island of Malta – is a traditional encounter between skilled professional and younger starlet.
Liverpool’s Butler hasn’t put a glove incorrect since turning over in 2018. The undefeated 24-year-old has raced to 9 wins and a single draw (bout halted after a conflict of heads) and has barely misplaced a spherical in these 10 outings. The child-faced fighter has naturally although been in studying fights since his debut and now faces the primary actual take a look at of his profession in opposition to the well-travelled Derbyshire.
Doncaster’s Derbyshire is a troublesome man and a very good fighter, with a really misleading file. With eight wins and 4 attracts from 40 bouts, anybody might be forgiven for considering he was within the incorrect sport however don’t be deceived. A professional since 2014, the 31-year-old has fought an array of prime British fighters and – virtually at all times – within the away nook. The Yorkshireman is in respectable type and – with discover and one thing to struggle for – is an actual handful, evidenced by his break up resolution draw with British Champion Tommy Frank in April … a struggle many ringsiders had him successful.
This struggle might be pivotal to each males. The encounter will, possible, signify Craig’s final shot at a significant title – whereas being the primary likelihood for Butler to take a step into the boxing limelight and make an enormous assertion.
“What an important struggle to begin 2023,” mentioned Battle Academy’s Steve Crump. “We’ve just lately signed Connor and have excessive hopes for him, he’s from an important combating metropolis in Liverpool and I believe he may comply with within the footsteps of a few of the different nice little fighters which have come from there. It is a enormous take a look at for him although in opposition to a fighter we all know very nicely and has the power to upset our plans.”
“Craig confirmed what stage he’s at when he pushed Tommy [Frank] all the best way for the British title earlier this 12 months,” agreed promoter, Dennis Hobson. “I don’t imagine this chance has come too early for Connor, however you simply by no means know. We imagine in him and he has an important future within the sport, however we’ll know way more about him after this contest.”
Stephen Vaughan, said: “I’m delighted to be working with Dennis and Steve on this present and to be making historical past by bringing a Commonwealth Title struggle to Malta. That is going to be a incredible struggle for Maletese boxing followers and Fightzone viewers. Connor is an actual expertise, however it is a very powerful take a look at so early in his profession, however I’m assured he’ll come by it.”