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Cloutier’s Canada Corner
Steven Butler: "The Biggest
Challenge Of My Boxing Career"
By Daniel Cloutier
MONTRÉAL - The Montrealer super welterweight Steven Butler
trained like hell during the last two months, and he said he
was absolutely necessary in the circumstances. Butler
(18-0-1) will face Brendon Cook (17-0-0), from Toronto,
Saturday evening in the ring of the Bell Centre in Montréal,
in an unification of the IBF North American and WBA
Intercontinental championships.
The two fighters, considered as two of the greatest
prospects of the Canadian pro boxing, are both undefeated
and both ranked in the world.
Butler is ranked eight contender in the IBF 154 pounds
division, Cook fifth contender in the WBA ratings. “No doubt
in my mind, in 48 hours, I will face the biggest challenge
of my boxing career, said Butler Thursday morning in a press
conference held at Place d’Youville in the Old Montréal. You
can imagine how much I am motivated by this challenge. Cooks
is undefeated, he is ranked in the world and the rivalry
between him and me is perfectly normal: I live in Montréal,
him in Toronto. He heaths me, and I health him. I am sure
the bout will be intense and violent from the first bell to
the last one. And I can promise to my fans I will be in the
winning shoes at the end of the bout. I said it recently,
and I repeat it, I cannot afford a lost at this stage of my
pro boxing career. I want to much to face the best super
welterweights in the world this year and in the years to
come.”
Cook, obviously, in not agree with Butler. “I saw Butler in
action on video, and I got to admit he is excellent fighter,
said Cook. If I am the biggest challenge of his career, I
got to admit he is also the biggest challenge of my boxing
career. However, I have the conviction I have the weapons
necessaries to beat him. We are both aggressive, both
dangerous punchers, but I am sure my intensity and energies
will make me win. It’s crucial for me to stay undefeated,
because I am closer than ever to get a shot for a world
title. As you know, I am in the Top five of the WBA
contenders.”
The promoter of the event, Camille Estephan, the big boss of
The Eye Of The Tiger Management Group, is expecting a
memorable bout between Butler and Cook. “I am sure the
Montréal boxing fans will have problems to stay on their
seat when the main event will start Saturday, said Estephan.
No doubt, it will be a memorable match up. Steven and Cook
are both mean, both powerful punchers and both very
determinate to win. Obviously, I am expecting another win
for Steven. My fighter is closer than ever to a
participation to a world championship bout, and I really
think he will get the statute of world champion this year or
next year. Steven is not only an explosive puncher, he is
better than ever technically and strategically. I am
extremely impatient to hear the first bell.”
Mike Gyyett, the Cook’s trainer, is more than satisfy by his
fighter’s preparation. “Brendon knew that Butler was a
dangerous opponent, then, he prepared himself perfectly for
this challenge, said Guyett. I really believe my fighter
will become the first boxer to beat Butler. I seriously
think that Brendon has the potentiel necessary to become
world champion this year or next year. Brendon never stopped
to progress in the last years, he is extremely determinate,
and he is ready now to face the biggest names in the world.
Trust me, the Brendon Cook’s name will be mentioned
frequently on the international boxing scene in the years to
come.”
All the fighters involve in this boxing show will take part
to the weight in Friday at noon, also at Place d’Youville.
The weight in will be supervised by the Québec Athletic
Commission (Régie des sports de combats), and by
commissioners workings with the IBF and the WBA.
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