Round-up of every try, tackle and scrum – all the rugby action from teams across Wirral

Jul 4 2012 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

PAUL BUTLER has dismissed Ashley Sexton’s world title ambitions as mere fantasy - and has vowed to expose the London man this week.

The 23-year-old travels to Bethnal Green, east London on Thursday night to face Sexton in a British super-flyweight title eliminator.

Both men enter the contest undefeated but Butler, 7-0 as a professional, believes his rival has been fortunate to keep his unbeaten run intact.

Sexton, a former English flyweight title holder, heads into the 10 round contest with more paid experience but Butler is adamant he has boxed nobody of his quality.

The man from the capital recently spoke of his long-term world title plans but Butler says those dreams will be in tatters tomorrow night at York Hall.

“I'm feeling ready, I can't wait to get in there and do a job,” said Butler, who is trained by Arnie Farnell in Manchester.

"I don't rate him as much as some people who make him out to be a good fighter.

"He has not boxed anyone at my level and as much as people say this is a step up for me, it is a step up for him.

"I don't think he has boxed anyone as good as me and I will prove that on Thursday night.

"It winds me up in interviews when he says he's going to win a world title when he hasn't even conquered British level.”

Butler and Sexton sparred over four rounds last year with the Little Sutton man preparing for his fourth pro contest against Delroy Spencer.

That exchange has given Butler confidence ahead of this week’s meeting, as has sharing the ring with a European title challenger in the build up.

"I've had some top sparring for this fight,” Butler continued.

“I've done some with Rhys Roberts, who was beaten in the final of Prizefighter by Choi, as well as Stuart Hall, who boxes for the European bantamweight title on Saturday.

"We think the British title will become vacant after Saturday night. I think Lee Haskins is keeping hold of it until after the Hall fight, just in case he loses so there is another payday for him.

"I haven't got a clue who the Board would nominate for me though.”

Butler v Sexton is live on Box Nation, Sky channel 437.