Butlin faces Blackpool Rock on Saturday by Tom Podmore Oct 4th 2007

Melton Mowbray's Paul Butlin faces the sternest test of his five-year professional career when he squares up to Blackpool's ‘Magic' Matthew Ellis in Leicester on Saturday evening (October 6). The 31-year-old ‘Blonde Bomber', who has eyes on fighting for the Midland Area title before Christmas, fights the former ABA champion from Lancashire in a six-rounder on Leicester Sporting Club's inaugural show at the Aylestone Leisure Centre. Neil Tomlinson-trained Paul hasn't fought since narrowly outpointing Derbyshire puncher Luke Simpkin (39-38, though I had it wider) at the Meadowside Leisure Centre in Burton back in March. But he thinks this fight could be the start of something big for him after an incredibly slow 2007. “Everyone has let me down this year,” said a frustrated and fed-up Butlin, who hopes to have around 70 people cheering him on at the weekend. “People have dropped out of fights and I am just desperate to get back in the ring and show the people of Leicester what I can do.” Butlin, 11-3 (2), believes he has the tools to defeat Ellis, once touted as a future world champion, even though the fast-handed Blackpool scrapper has only tasted defeat on four occasions in a eleven-year paid career. The tattooed East Midlander said: “This will be, without a shadow of a doubt, the hardest fight of my career, but this contest is a great opportunity for me to shine and I know I have the ability to do just that.” Talented Ellis, however, who hasn't fought since a four-round decision over Chris Woollas in Dudley just under a year ago, will be several rungs better than any man Paul has faced in his previous 14 paid outings. Matthew, 33, holds victories over Russia's former WBC top ten-rated Dennis Bakhtov and former British title challenger Michael Murray (a man who stopped Mike Tyson conqueror Kevin McBride). He is a man not to be taken lightly. But Butlin has been sparring with Commonwealth heavyweight boss Matt Skelton and it has given him the belief that he belongs with the top heavyweights in Great Britain. “My main aim is to get into the British top ten and then get a shot at the British title,” admitted the ambitious heavyweight from Rutland. “I'm not afraid to put it all on the line and will fight anyone. “Saturday nights fight against Matthew is a big step in the right direction for me – a fight that could lead me to a shot at a big title. “Once I get this fight out of the way I want to fight for the Midland Area title, preferably before Christmas. “If I win that then I will be right up there.” Unbeaten Leicester hope Kevin Concepcion tops the five-fight bill in his first six-threes against Sheffield fireman Jez Wilson.

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