“I have nothing to lose, but I don’t go there with the idea of just collecting a check. It’s about victory or nothing. It’s a fight I couldn’t refuse. I enjoy challenges.”
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Steven Butler (32-3-1, 26 KOs) will fight his second world title fight of his career on Saturday in Stockton, California. He faces WBO Middleweight Champion Kazakhstan’s Janibek Alimkhanuly (13-0, 8 KOs).
According to the bookies and several observers, the Quebecer is the big outsider of this shock. Others say he goes straight to the slaughterhouse against who is believed to be Gennady Golovkin’s dolphin.
Pierre-Paul Poulin / Le Journal de Montreal / QMI Agency
The Eye of the Tiger Management (EOTTM) representative is well aware of the task ahead of him in the ring.
“He’s a high-level boxer and a lot of people avoid him at 160 pounds,” notes the one nicknamed “Bang Bang.” On the other hand, everyone is beatable.
“We worked on Janibek’s shortcomings during camp and will be able to exploit them during the fight. I am 100% confident and trust my team. We go there with the goal of providing the surprise of the year.
“I believe it. I just want to win, even if it’s lucky. This is the fight I want to win the most in my entire career.
Of course, he doesn’t want to discuss too much about the game plan for his Saturday duel.
“We did a good job and made a good video about our opponent. Ideally, our plan would work, but we know we may have to adapt quickly. You can’t just have one plan against a boxer like Janibek. He might have some surprises in store for us.
“It’s possible he underestimates me. If he gets arrogant, it’s to my advantage. I am prepared for all eventualities.”
Put your feelings aside
During his fights, we often saw an emotional butler between the cables. Against Janibek he has to stay in his zone from start to finish to have the best chance of winning. The smallest mistake can be costly.
“I have to put my feelings aside,” the slugger insists. To mark [Ramsay] Helped me a lot in that regard during the camp.
“He often told me I needed emotion, but at certain times. That’s not our game plan.
“It’s not about taking unnecessary risks in the first laps. If I need my feelings, it will be easy for me. It is natural.”
obstacles in his way
His career hasn’t always been a straight line. Losses to Brandon Cook, Ryota Murata and Jose de Jesus Macias raised doubts about him.
AFP
Steven Butler suffered three defeats during his career, including one in the World Championship against Japan’s Ryota Murata.
The game against Macias hurt his notoriety in 2021. It took him several months to recover. However, he never intended to give up.
“I’ve always been able to get through the tough times in my life,” says Butler. If I fall 99 times, I’ll get up 100 times.
“I’m that type of guy. Not only have I failed in boxing, but also in my personal life. I’ve always managed to get back on my feet.
He wanted to come back to that fight against Macias in Mexico.
“It woke me up. You get a slap in the face and that keeps you humbled. My defeat against Macias was the trigger for me.
“I realized that I couldn’t just rely on my clout. Defense and strategy are also important in a fight.
“I’m also an athlete. I was elite in hockey and baseball. i can box I have other guns in my safe.”
Grief as a source of motivation
Steven Butler experienced tragedy when his longtime friend was murdered on December 30 in the Saint-Laurent neighborhood of Montreal.
Chayanne O’Neill Peralta Garcia was also her brother-in-law. He was well known in police circles. Butler declined to discuss the circumstances of his “brother’s” death.
Photo from Steven Bang Bang Butler’s Facebook page
Before his training camp began, Steven Butler lost his best friend and brother-in-law, Chayanne O’Neill Peralta Garcia.
“When I was offered this fight against Janibek, I was still in mourning. “I see it as a gift from Chayanne,” says Rénald Boisvert’s protégé. This dear loss served as a motivation for me and I tried to make something positive out of it.
“Chayanne and I always dreamed of becoming world champions. He wanted me to be successful for the family. I threw myself into this camp, my best in my career. And by far.”
Less hostile environment
In his first fight for the world title, Butler had to travel to Japan. He had to deal with a hostile environment. That won’t be the case this time as the fight will take place in the United States.
“Janibek speaks neither French nor English. On the other hand, the boxing fans who will be watching the fight don’t have the same bond that we’ve seen Lucian Bute have with Quebec at the time. You are not addicted yet.
“In Japan we had the right to everything. The world was upside down. They even turn you away from restaurants. We weren’t there as tourists. In California I expect the same as in Quebec.
Marc Ramsay, consultant
Steven Butler has added a key new addition to his coaching staff ahead of his training camp: Marc Ramsay.
MARIO BEAUREGARD/QMI AGENCY
Marc Ramsay supported Steven Butler at his training camp. (Image: Archive)
However, the coach has acted as Butler’s mentor and adviser for the last eight weeks.
“Marc was the manager of my camp,” explained the 27-year-old boxer. I continued to work with Rénald [Boisvert] and my father Clint [Butler] at the gym.”
Ramsay was mainly active in finding sparring partners.
“He got the sparring we needed. I just had to remember to know the time and place of my sessions.
“We went step by step until we had to complete twelve laps. Eventually I had two fresh and alternately arranged boxers in front of me.
“In the past, such a situation could disturb me mentally. This time I didn’t panic and stayed focused.
Experience
It is often said that experience cannot be bought. It’s a cliché that’s also true in the world of boxing. By adding Ramsay to his team, Butler knew he was getting his hands on a coach who had seen others in his career.
The timetable for the World Cup is very extensive. For him, the Janibek Alimkhanuly case is part of a long international list.
“It’s not his first World Cup. We’re our second after beating Ryota Murata.
“We did a World Cup camp and not just a camp where we try to do our best. There was a strategy behind every step, so I was able to do 12 laps on Saturday.
“The sparring was no better than my fight against Murata. We are ready.”
During the training sessions he had some pitfalls because he wanted to use the game plan established with his coaches. As the camp progressed, he became more and more comfortable.
On Saturday he will take his final exam in the ring in front of ESPN cameras. His result could be crucial for the rest of his career.