Boxing: Butler aiming to grasp his Prizefighters chance (From Gazette Series)

Danny Butler looks ahead to the light middleweight series of Sky's Prizefighters

9:15am Thursday 25th February 2010 in Sport By Rob Iles

SPANIORUM FARM GYM boxer Danny Butler is determined to make the most of his second chance in the Sky-televised Prizefighters competition.

The 22-year-old will step into the ring at York Hall tomorrow night aiming to win the £32,000 prize in the light middleweight series of the prestigious event.

Butler took part in the middleweight series in November 2008 and reached the semi-finals before suffering the first defeat of his professional career on a split decision to eventual winner Martin Murray.

That boosted Butler’s profile and he narrowly lost the English title fight against Darren McDermott last November before stepping in as a late replacement for the British and Commonwealth title just two weeks later, where he lost to Darren Barker.

With those experiences behind him, Butler believes he is better prepared for Prizefighters this time around.

“I’m lucky to get a second chance and I want to grab it with both hands,” he said.

“My aim is to win it second time around.

“I’ve had two big high profile fights behind me against top level fighters so this could be my time.

“I’ll go in, give it 100 per cent and go for it.”

Seven other boxers will battle to win the Prizefighters event, including ex-Commonwealth boss Bradley Pryce and former British belt holder Neil Sinclair, Butler, who will face Brett Flournoy in the quarter-final, says winning the competition would be the highlight of his career so far.

He said: “It would be unreal - the way it would boost your career and the publicity would be mad.

“It raises your profile so much just to be in there competing.”

It will be the first time Butler has fought at light middleweight and he has had to undergo a strict diet to be ready for the event.

When the boxers were weighed last week he was one of the lightest at 11st 4lb and is expected to be under the 11st 2lb limit at the final weigh-in today.

Butler believes fighting in a higher division throughout his career could work to his advantage tomorrow and says he may consider continuing at light middleweight level if it goes well.

“I feel this may suit me better,” he said.

“I’ve got my diet right, I feel strong so maybe this is the right weight I should be boxing at.

“I’ve got to see how it goes but my preparation has been excellent.

“Boxing bigger people at a higher weight and being in Prizefighters before might be a bit of an advantage.”

Prizefighters will be televised live on SkySports 1 from 8pm tomorrow (Friday).