Inoue vs Butler on Dec 13 starting @ 2:30am ET/ 11:30 pm PT on ESPN+ – Main event approx. 6am ET LIVE on ESPN+
By Barry Holbrook: Paul Butler says he sees flaws in the game of the undefeated superstar Naoya ‘Monster’ Inoue ahead of Tuesday’s undisputed bantamweight clash at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.
The ‘Baby Faced Assassin’ Butler (34-2, 15 KOs) will have his WBO bantamweight title on the line when he meets IBF, WBA & WBC champion on ESPN+ in a card that begins at 5:00 A.M. ET.
Butler, 34, is seen as having no chance of defeating the powerful unbeaten Inoue (23-0, 20 KOs) but says he’s spotted something in the Japanese star’s game that will enable him to pull off the upset.
“I have to be switched on for 36 minutes. I can’t switch off at any moment,” said Paul Butler to iFL TV about him needing to stay engaged mentally against Naoya ‘Monster’ Inoue on Tuesday.
“If you watch some of his fights that haven’t gone early, there are gaps there and plenty of them as well. I’ve sat down and watched him, and there are gaps.
“There are a few fights where he’s won them all and stopped them as well. If you look at the Donaire fight, the first one, there are plenty of gaps. There are plenty that you can see there.
“He’s very good, but look at his non-punching hand when he is throwing. It’s down. I’ve got to be confident on the night, and I’ve got to take risks. I’ve got to try and push him back and try and get him on the ropes.
“I’ve got to try and get him in uncomfortable positions where he may not have been before. He went to a few dark places with Donaire. He did come through them, but Donaire was 37 at the time. He’s still very, very good, and if he stays around, he’ll probably go on and win another world title.
“I believe in my own abilities. If I didn’t believe in myself, there would be no point in me being here. Isn’t that what we’re in the sport for? We’re paid to fight.
“I didn’t turn pro to win a world title and say, ‘I’m not fighting him because everybody calls him the best and everybody thinks he’s the #1 pound-for-pound. If you’re not in the sport to challenge yourself and be the best of your ability and challenge the best in the sport.
“I’m doing something that every professional boxer out there wants to do, and I’m getting the opportunity.
