Merseyside stars Paul Butler, Joe Selkirk, Kevin Satchell and Tom Stalker hit the races on Saturday 1st March when they all feature at the historic Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/Virgin Ch. 546).
Ellesmere Port’s undefeated super-flyweight sensation Butler headlines the show when he defends his WBO and WBA Intercontinental titles.
The 25-year-old British Champion had a fantastic 2013 adding the Commonwealth, WBO and WBA International titles and taking his record to 14 fights unbeaten with seven KO’s.
All-action Butler, who could’ve been a jockey and is a big horse-racing fan, is excited to have his first fight of the year at Aintree as he looks to make big strides on the world scene.
He said, “This is a big year for me and I’m looking to start it with bang at Aintree on Saturday 1st March. Last year was great with plenty of fights and winning lots of belt, this year I hope for more of the same as I move closer to that world title. The opponents are getting harder, they’re more experienced and they’re bringing the best out of me.”
Featuring as chief support is Liverpool hitman Joe Selkirk who makes the first defence of his WBO European Light-Middleweight title.
Selkirk demolished unbeaten Zoltan Sera inside three rounds last month to win his first pro title and is looking to keep busy this year with more hard-hitting performances.
While Selkirk’s challenger is to be confirmed, on the undercard top talents Ronnie Heffron and John Thain will fight it out and the winner is set to meet Selkirk next time.
Selkirk said, “It makes such a difference winning that first title. Even though it’s not a world title, it feels like it is and I’m not letting it go. Whoever I’m facing at Aintree is getting smashed and then I’m looking at the winner out of Heffron and Thain after that. I want to fight and keep busy and this year you’ll see the best of me.”
Liverpool flyweight hot-shot Kevin Satchell, the British and Commonwealth Champion, has signed a promotional agreement with Queensberry Promotions and he’ll have his first fight for his new promoter at Aintree.
Unbeaten Satchell defends the Commonwealth title only – that he won at Aintree against Paul Edwards in May 2012 – against the mandatory challenger Issac Quaye from Ghana which will be a tough assignment, but Satchell is confident he’ll come through.
Satchell said, “First of all I’m really happy to have signed with my new promoter Frank Warren who believes I can make it to the top and I’ll repay that faith with top performances in the ring. It’s a good omen to return to the venue where I won my title and I’ll put on a good show for the fans. The fighters from Ghana are tough and hard, just how I like them, Quaye will bring me to another level.”
Also signing a promotional agreement with Warren today is the highly decorated former amateur star Thomas Stalker who will first make his Queensberry Promotions debut on the Copper Box Arena show on Saturday 15th February. Stalker will box on the undercard of European Heavyweight Champion Dereck Chisora defending his title against Andriy Rudenko, plus heavyweight sensation Tyson Fury who will box in an International contest on the card, and then he’ll also feature on the Aintree show.
The Liverpool ace, who’s highlights include Gold at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, Bronze at the 2011 World Amateur Championships and captaining the England, is currently undefeated in five pro fights with two KO’s since turning professional in February last year.
Light-welterweight Stalker is looking forward to fighting at home again and is promising a treat for fans.
Stalker said, “It’s a new year and new start for me and I’m over the moon to join Frank Warren and Queensberry Promotions. I’m unbeaten in five fights and this year I’m really looking to push on and hopefully go for a title. It’s a cracking line up at Aintree with some of Liverpool best in action so I’ll be looking to make my mark and give the fans something special to remember.”
Neil Marsh, who will manage Satchell and Stalker, has also brought top Liverpool prospects Steve Lewis, Nathan Brough and Ryan Farrag to Queensberry Promotions.
Marsh said, “I’m delighted to begin a working relationship with Frank Warren and Queensberry Promotions and look forward to building a strong base in Liverpool with the best fighters featuring on great shows. It was a fantastic deal offered to Kevin and Tom plus Steve, Nathan and Ryan, by Frank and it was too good to turn down. This is a great move for the lads in their careers and I’m really really happy for them. With BoxNation televising their fights, these guys will become big big stars.”
A further championship title fight will be added to the card and also joining will be former WBO World Light-Heavyweight Champion Nathan Cleverly who makes his long-awaited cruiserweight debut.
Completing the card will be Manchester unbeaten lightweight star Terry Flanagan, who has his first fight for Warren, and features in an eight-round contest, plus unbeaten Ellesmere Port prospect Matty Fagan who features in a six-round contest against Gloucester’s Andy Harris.
Warren said, “It’s the first time in my promotional career that I’ve staged a show at Aintree and I’m delighted that the first show has a strong line up of talent from Merseyside. Paul is certainly one of the hot young talents to look out for this year, he’s on the world scene now and he’ll be looking to make his mark this year. Joe looked great last time out dismantling a tough challenger in Sera and he’ll have a big year this year as well. I’d like to welcome new signings Kevin Satchell and Tom Stalker to the Queensberry Promotions team along with Neil Marsh. Kevin is a quality fighter and I think he will do some good things this year, and the same with Tom who was a superb amateur and has carried that across to the pros and I’m looking forward to working with them and really establishing them as big attractions in their home city. It’s a top quality card with some of Britain’s best talent like Terry Flanagan in action and a cracking showdown between Ronnie Heffron and John Thain, plus top prospect Matty Fagan.”
Tickets are priced at:
£40 – Unreserved Tiers
£50
£70
£100
£150 (ringside)
And are available from Eventim on 0844 842 5005 or www.eventim.co.uk