ELLESMERE PORT bantamweight Paul Butler, 36-3 (17), is set to make his return to title action on May 11 when he faces Norbelto Jimenez of the Dominican Republic for the IBO version of the bantamweight crown.
The fight will be held in Ellesmere Port, just two miles from Butler’s home, and will be Butler’s first scheduled 12-rounder since his defeat against Naoya Inoue in December 2022. Despite this loss, Butler has had two victories since then, defeating Jeison Cervantes in six rounds and Nabil Ahmed in two rounds. However, he has not had another title fight or faced a highly ranked opponent since his loss to Inoue.
His upcoming fight against Jimenez, however, will change that.
Jimenez, 33-10-6 (18), is a familiar name in the lower weight classes and has previously fought for the WBA super-flyweight title twice. He fought to a draw against Kohei Kono in Japan in 2014 and lost to Khalid Yafai in 2019. Recently, he had a draw against Donnie Nietes and lost to Andrew Moloney. Jimenez has proven to be a tough opponent with a track record of durability, posing a new challenge for Butler.
Butler expressed his determination to secure a major title and views this fight as a crucial step towards achieving that goal. He understands the importance of making the most out of his professional career and avoiding further defeats, especially considering his losses against top-tier opponents like Inoue, Rodriguez, and Tete.
Despite his age, Butler believes he has improved as a boxer and is fully committed to his boxing career. He aims to maintain his performance level and make strategic decisions for his future fights. Butler sees his upcoming fight in Ellesmere Port as a significant moment in his boxing journey, symbolizing a full circle from his early amateur days in the same location.