Boxer ditches Olympic dream for pro career

Boxer Iain Butcher turning professional with manager Paul Graham (right) and James Dalziel of sponsor C&C Skip Hire

Published on 29/09/2011 15:14

BELLSHILL boxing promoter Paul Graham has described adding Iain Butcher to his stable as ‘like signing David Beckham’.

The in-demand 19-year-old Motherwell flyweight has turned pro after turning his back on his Olympic dream as he wasn’t allowed to compete at his preferred weight.

Despite interest from several top promotersy, Butcher pledged his future to Graham’s Prospect Boxing.

Butcher said: “Having fought at the Commonwealth Games it is a shame I won’t be going to the Olympics.

“I could have gone in at flyweight or even super-flyweight, but GB Boxing wanted me as a light-flyweight and that would have put too much stress on my body so I decided now was the right time to turn professional.”

Butcher is aiming to emulate Paul Weir and Pat Clinton who brought a WBO world title back to Scotland in the 1990s at light-flyweight and flyweight respectively.

He said: “I would love to emulate Paul and Pat, and hope within three years to be competing for the British title.”

Graham said the lack of depth in the British flyweight ranks might have put off other promoters, but he is determined to spend money to bring in the right opponents for Butcher.

He said: “Iain was hawked around other promoters and for me to get him is like the Motherwell manager signing David Beckham.

“Potentially Iain is that good. The problem is the lack of opponents in Britain, so I will have to bring in people from France and Belgium to face him.

Graham has also added Scottish featherweight champion Kris Hughes to the Prospect ranks and Butcher’s Keir Hardie ABC colleague Steven Banks won his second professional fight last week as the welterweight beat Tom Bowen in Glasgow.

Full story in September 29 edition of Times & Speaker

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Boxer ditches Olympic dream for pro career

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