Philippines, 09 Nov 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Paul Butler now meets Willibaldo Garcia on Friday's #MTKFightNight

PhilBoxing.com




The must-see card takes place at the University of Bolton Stadium this week, and will be broadcast live on ESPN+ in association with Top Rank, and worldwide on IFL TV.

Former world champion Butler (32-2, 15 KOs) was originally set to face Joseph Agbeko at the event, before visa problems forced the Ghanaian out of the contest.

Mexico's Garcia (12-4-1, 6 KOs) has now stepped in, and he heads into the fight on a great run of form having lost just one of his last 13 fights, and picking up wins over Raul Esquer and Oscar Nery Plata in his last two outings.

Butler said: "I’m really happy to be back in the ring. I’ve been ready for a while and been wanting to box since February, so now that the time is here I’m buzzing.

"It's nice to still be fighting after the Agbeko problems. I’ve trained solid for 10 weeks so it’s good I’m still getting a fight. It's frustrating as I’ve trained for a certain person for so long, but I have to be fully focused on getting the win on Friday night.

"I’ve had a look at who I’m boxing and he's a tougher fighter than Agbeko. He is game, comes to win and doesn’t stop throwing shots, plus he's been in with some good opponents.

"I’m buzzing there’s some fans coming to watch too. I'm gutted it’s not full capacity but hopefully that will be next, and it will be nice to hear fans in the arena this time.

"The win over Ryan Walker last time out was pretty routine. I felt good in there, but maybe switched off a couple of times and could have upped the gears. It was a weird feeling boxing In front of no fans for the first time and it was tough to step it up now and again.

"I’m just really happy to be back in contention for a world title. This is why I signed with MTK Global for these big opportunities. They’ve delivered so now I need to step up and deliver for them.

"Bantamweight is a red hot division at the moment, stacked with class fighters. Even the British champion Lee McGregor is knocking on the door for world honours. It’s definitely one of the hottest weight classes out there at the minute with one of the pound-for-pound stars in Naoya Inoue holding two of the world titles.

"Hosea Burton is on this card too and he has been great to train with. We’ve pushed each other through every training session, in the gym and on the track. It’s been a hard camp but we are both more than ready to go on Friday night."

Elsewhere on Friday's action-packed card, Jay Harris and Ricardo Sandoval meet in a final eliminator for the IBF flyweight title, Hosea Burton takes on Liam Conroy in a final eliminator for the British light-heavyweight title, Gary Cully fights Viorel Simion, Pierce O'Leary returns against Jan Marsalek, Jordan Reynolds faces Jan Ardon, Tyrone McCullagh goes up against Brett Fidoe, Blane Hyland squares off with Reiss Taylor, and Inder Bassi collides with Chris Adaway.




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Manny Pacquiao Arrives in LA to Oversee Son Jimuel's Highly Anticipated Pro Debut
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 09 Nov 2025
  • Robert Racasa Shines for the Philippines on First Day of World Memory Championships
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 09 Nov 2025
  • P20k for 42k winners in 3rd SDSPPO
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 09 Nov 2025
  • Weights Set for Tomorrow’s Sanman Boxing Show in General Santos City
    , Sat, 08 Nov 2025
  • Vergil Ortiz vs. Erickson Lubin: Can Lubin Tip the Ortiz/Ennis Apple Cart?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 08 Nov 2025
  • Gibbons’ ‘Thrilla’ regrets
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sat, 08 Nov 2025
  • Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Erickson Lubin Set for Explosive Showdown in Fort Worth
    , Sat, 08 Nov 2025
  • Ring Officials Announced for Michael Hunter Vs Eli Frankham - York Hall, 5th December
    , Sat, 08 Nov 2025
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Baseball in the Sulaimán Family
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Sat, 08 Nov 2025
  • Shields signs $8 million multi year contract with Salita Promotions
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 08 Nov 2025
  • A TIBUTE TO VICTOR CONTE
    , Sat, 08 Nov 2025
  • Lhuillier Lauds RP Blu Boys’ Triumph in Japan Tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 08 Nov 2025
  • FIDE Rated Chess Tournament Pasig Police Board Patrol Checkpoint Challenge
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 08 Nov 2025
  • MANNY PACQUIAO VS. FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR. ONCE AGAIN
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Fri, 07 Nov 2025
  • NBA Reportedly Met with Congress Regarding Gambling Issues
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 07 Nov 2025
  • IM Dableo and IM Banawa Headline 17th Kamatyas FIDE Rapid Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 07 Nov 2025
  • VERGIL ORTIZ VS ERICKSON LUBIN FINAL PRESSCON QUOTES
    , Fri, 07 Nov 2025
  • WBC maintains protection of women's boxing with 2-minute rounds
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 07 Nov 2025
  • Muntinlupa tops Sambo demo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 07 Nov 2025
  • Weights From Atlantic City
    , Fri, 07 Nov 2025
  • DC Jiu Jitsu wins 6 golds, 4 silvers, 11 bronzes
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 07 Nov 2025
  • Gladiator Management Fighters In Action This Fall
    , Thu, 06 Nov 2025
  • NBA Daily: Doncic Shines as Lakers Topple Wembanyama and the Spurs 118-116
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Thu, 06 Nov 2025
  • Jellie Ann Magro wins 6 straight, Quezon City down Isabela in PCAP
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 06 Nov 2025
  • Carlos De Leon Castro Stays Perfect with Explosive TKO Win in Orlando on DAZN
    , Thu, 06 Nov 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.