Paul Butler wins by split decision against Willibaldo Garcia Perez

Former WBO world bantamweight champion Paul Butler took another step towards a possible title shot when he beat Mexican Willibaldo Garcia Perez by split decision on MTK's show from the Bolton Whites Hotel in Bolton. The show was shown live on IFL-TV and ESPN +.

Judge Howard Foster scored 95-94 for Perez but whilst it wasn't by any means an outrageous card, I found it very generous to the visitor.

Butler did slow in the second half of the contest but, he had already dropped Perez in the 1st round and boxed rings around him. In the second half, whilst sitting on the ropes catching the incoming bombardment on gloves and arms or, swaying out of the way, he landed enough to hold a healthy lead at the end of the 10 rounds.

All credit to Perez who came in as a replacement for WBO No1 Joseph Agbeko who failed to gain a visa to enter the UK. The 31-year-old from Copala, Guerrero, Mexico is now 12-5-1 and never stopped throwing leather the entire bout.