Butler lands the Susie Q on Ambler by Paul Concannon May 5th 2008

Bristol's undefeated Danny Butler made his middleweight debut on Friday night at the Bristol Marriot. With just one stoppage from 10 previous wins down at light-middleweight (where he holds the British Masters belt), the youngster's stats didn't indicate he was much of a puncher.  However, Bristol Evening Post's Andy Stockhausen had informed me beforehand that Butler had been scoring a few knockdowns of late, perhaps an indication that the 20-year-old was beginning to develop his power. If his bout against Aberystwyth's gangling Jamie Ambler was anything to go by, that theory holds plenty of water. One thudding overhand right cum right hook was sufficient to send the tricky Welshman to the mat for referee Winford Jones' ten count in the second round.  The time had come at exactly one minute of the round. Somewhat dwarfed by his 6'2" opponent, the stocky, heavily-supported Butler (11 stones 9lbs) had started brightly, bulldozing his way through Ambler's Mantis-like reach to score with quick combinations. Periods of inactivity while each probed for openings were punctuated by aggressive bursts of sometimes-overeager combination punching from Butler, with each new wave attracting thunderous approval from his raucous cheering section. Ambler (12st 1lb) remained composed under pressure, but his flicking jabs did little to dissuade Butler's forward march, and the local fighter clearly took the first round The second was more of the same, Ambler looking to maintain ring centre and tie Butler up as he came in. It looked like the scheduled six-threes had found its level, until the sudden, dramatic knockout with Ambler close to his own corner. Clearly in some discomfort, the gutsy visitor pawed at the canvas with no chance of beating the count.  Fortunately, after a few distressed moments on his stool, the sporting Ambler had regained composure sufficiently to applaud the announcement of his younger opponent's victory. To add insult to injury, it appeared the frightening splash to the canvas had also damaged his left leg, the defeated fighter hobbling as he made his way out of the ring. Promoter Jane Couch was clearly ecstatic at the thrilling nature of her fighter's victory – and why not? It had been a sensational middleweight debut. Dolgellau's Brock Kato and Cardiff's Lance Verallo had gotten the night underway in a good value 6 x 2's. The more aggressive Kato (10 stones 12 lbs) held the edge behind a hard jab, clubbing right and steady body attack, while Varello (10st 8lbs) kept things competitive with occasional counters and the odd forward charge. Referee Rhys Carter scored the bout 60-54 for Kato. In the night's second bout, Calne's Chris Long scored his third points victory of competitive Nuneaton journeyman Kristian Laight, over four-twos. Laight, a neat switch-hitter, always gives a good account of himself and was unlucky not to take at least a share of the spoils in his latest joust with Long. After constant pressure had earned Long the first, Laight clearly appeared to take rounds two and three with his prodding counters and greater accuracy. The fourth saw the hard working Long do enough to take the round, earning him a draw on my card. Referee Rhys Carter scored 39-38 for the Calne fighter.  Long, who had been out of action since a bout of shingles last December, sportingly raised the Nuneaton fighter's hand after the verdict was announced.

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