Boxing
Paul Butler elevated to WBO bantamweight champion after John Riel Casemiro stripped due to sauna use
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Paul Butler announced that he has been elevated to full WBO bantamweight champion after John Riel Casemiro’s failure to fight the Briton last month.
Butler has been awarded the title after the governing body decided to strip Casemiro of his belt and give Butler the nod.
Casemiro had been due to fight Butler back in December 2021 but pulled out with sickness ahead of a planned bout in Dubai, and the new clash was rescheduled for April 23. However in the days leading up to the reorganised bout, Casemiro was found to have broken rules set by the British Boxing Board of Control for using a sauna in order make weight.
The interim champion instead fought Jonas Sultan and successfully defended his interim title.
“I already knew I was a two-time world bantamweight champion but to have it officially confirmed by the WBO this morning, is a great feeling,” Butler said.
“I produced the best performance of my career in beating Jonas Sultan and Casimero will have watched that display and realised he was seriously underestimating me,” he said.
“Had Casimero not been pulled out of the fight, the result would have been the same as I was in the shape of my life for the biggest contest of my career, and he could see that on the night.
“Now, with the WBO belt around my waist, I’m ready to secure some huge fights in one of the best divisions in boxing, and I will be watching the outcome of Donaire versus Inoue with interest.”
On Instagram, he wrote: “Massive thank you to my whole team!!! 4 years ago I was back on the small hall shows, wrote off. Worked me a—s off to get back on that big stage and get my chance again.
“Never give up on your dream! Don’t let people tell you, you can’t! Anyway .. [Wetherspoons] for a breaky and a pint anyone”.
