Friday 18 March 2016

Alonzo Butler looking to jumpstart his career.


In 2007, Alonzo Butler had the world at his feet, 27/0 with 17 knockouts a world ranking and the backing of Art Pellulos Banner promotions, the Chattanooga heavyweight looked a dead cert to feature in the divisions future as a major player. In June of 2008, Butler signed to box on an ESPN card in Las Vegas against tough veteran Friday Ahunanya, Butler came in  at a career high 265lbs and was pushed to the wall by the stubborn Nigerian in a close affair which saw Butler receive his first loss..  The Ahunanya fight was a tough lesson but maybe a blessing, with a shut eye and badly damaged pride Butler could easily have quit following a knockdown in the fourth round but showed championship courage to continue to a split verdict..  Unfortunately since that eventful night, Alonzo's career had stalled, with only a single appearance between 2009 and 2013, a contested loss the Travis Walker in a fight where Walker had to get off the floor to survive and a 3 round decision loss to Brice Coe in the quarter finals of the Super 8 tourney in New Zealand saw Butler fight only 3 times in close to 6 years..  Alonzo was a product of world renowned trainer Ace Miller, a decorated trainer who was the sole mastermind behind former WBA champion Big John Tate, Ace recognised potential in Butler and stayed with his student until his passing in 2012. How fitting would it be to see Alonzo jumpstart his career in a wide open division four years on. With lack of opportunity and exposure in the US Butler has his sights on a move the the United Kingdom, it would be a shot into the unknown but it would certainly cause a stir amongst the current British heavyweight scene. Fighters are aware of Alonzo Butlers reputation, Deontay Wilders people got a taste of Butlers power in a heated sparring session and number 2 ranked Alex Ustinov also had second thoughts and wanted no part of Alonzo..   Butler is still only 36, relatively young and with only a handful of questionable losses in a 34 fight career, the transatlantic move could be a risk worth taking.