VIP Promotions’ show at Bolton’s Macron Stadium this Saturday (October 22) will now be televised live by BoxNation.
Blackpool’s Matty Askin was due to headline the card in a British cruiserweight title eliminator against Belfast’s Tommy McCarthy, but that contest has now been postponed until November 19th due to a McCarthy injury. Instead, the card gets a pair of fantastic headline fights, with both Jamie Cox and Paul Butler appearing.
Ferocious puncher Cox, 20-0 (12), is a former Commonwealth Games gold medallist who has set the pro game alight with a string of impressive knockouts. The Swindon super-middleweight gets a decent test in Bolton where he faces Argentinian tough-guy Martin Fidel Rios, 20-9-3 (11), for the WBO Intercontinental super-middleweight title.
Butler, 21-1 (12), became the IBF world bantamweight champion after dethroning Darlington’s Stuart Hall in 2014. Relinquishing the belt to return to super-flyweight, the ‘Baby-Faced Assassin’ suffered a ‘KO of the year’ defeat in 2015 to world-class South African Zolani Tete. Since then, four wins on the bounce have seen the Ellesmere Port fighter return to his former highs and he gets Mexico’s Alex Ruiz, 11-3-1 (4), over ten rounds at the Macron.
“I always said this was a quality show and one for TV, and it’s great that BoxNation have picked it up,” said promoter Steve Wood. “It’s obviously a shame that the Askin versus McCarthy fight is no longer on because that will be a great contest to watch, but having Cox and Butler on instead is an excellent substitute.
“Cox is exciting; punches very hard and wants to get in the mix alongside the likes of George Groves and Callum Smith, so he’ll want to put on an explosive performance. Butler did well winning the world title but came unstuck against Tete, who looks like a very good fighter. Similarly, I’m expecting a good showing from Paul who is looking to reach the top again.
“We also have former Commonwealth champion Luke Blackledge appearing, as well as Zelfa Barrett, who looks like a future champion, and lots of local talent. The card is huge, with 16 fights scheduled, so it’s excellent value-for-money for the fans too.”
VIP Promotions presents boxing at Bolton’s Macron Stadium on October 22. Headlining will be Swindon’s Jamie Cox versus Argentina’s Martin Fidel Rios for the WBO Intercontinental super-middleweight title, and Ellesmere Port’s Paul Butler against Mexico’s Alex Ruiz.
Also appearing will be Manchester’s Zelfa Barrett, Arthif Daniel and Omar Dusary; Darwen’s Luke Blackledge and Mickey Ellison; Leicester’s Lyon Woodstock; Bolton’s Jack Flatley and Jack Cullen; Blackburn’s Qasim Niaz; Irlam’s Lee Gillespie; Blackpool’s RP Davies; Failsworth’s Danny Wright; Upminster’s Ryan Taylor, and Lancashire’s Ben Swarbick.
Tickets priced at £30 (general) and £50 (ringside) are available from vipboxing.tv, all boxers, and on the door on the evening.
The show will be streamed live and free at vipboxing.tv
