Birmingham’s ‘Poet with Punch’ Matt Windle put up a battling performance as he moved up in weight to take on the unbeaten Liverpudlian Connor Butler for the Flyweight Commonwealth and EBU European title. Windle, the current Light Flyweight Commonwealth champ, stepped up in weight at the Olympia, Liverpool for this two-title contest with both fighters weighing in seven stone nine with John Latham reffing. Butler has an impressive record of ten wins and one draw and is the current holder of the Flyweight Commonwealth title. Windle who holds the light Flyweight Commonwealth title has a record of seven wins and one draw out of twelve contests.
Both fighters started the fight strong letting their hands go with Butler edging the first round. Everything came off a sharp jab in the second from Butler who put nice combinations together making nice angles, Windle had some joy but it was Butlers round. Butler showcased a whole host of combinations in the third as he opened up on Windle, Windle looked in trouble but battled back and saw the round out.
Windle continued to battle in the fourth and pressed forward getting some good shots off to nick the round. Windle started the fifth round strong trying to turn the fight into a tare-up round-on, Butler managed to get back on his jab and got some nice combinations together to win the round. Butler kept on his toes in the sixth and moved well catching Windle with nice jabs and combinations, Windle had joy in but it was Butler’s round on work rate.
Butler stayed in control in the seventh as Windle continued to press, Butler picked his shots well winning the round. Butler poured it on in the eighth rocking Windle, who stood strong, bit down on his gum shield, and got through the round. Butler stayed in control in the ninth as he picked his shots well as Windle battled hard and caught Butler with some good shots, Butler had a point taken off for holding.
Butler moved well around the ring as Windle pressed forward in the tenth and took the fight to him, Butler edged the round with the eye-catching shots. Butler still looked sharp in the eleventh round as he shot out stinging jabs as he moved well around the ring. Windle came out strong and let his hands go in the twelfth as he knew he needed the stoppage, Butler moved well but Windle won the round.
Judge Victor Loughlin gave it 118 to 109, Mark Lyson gave it 115 to 112, and Marico Marzlioil gave it 117 to 110 all in favour of Connor Butler.
I had it 117 to 110 to Butler.
Dexter’s Thoughts
This was a proper battling performance by Matt Windle who was in with a very good opponent. Butler seemed to be a few levels above Mattman who rolled the dice fighting this unbeaten fighter in Liverpool moving up a weight. Windle and his team can take stock of this and look at defending his Light Flyweight Commonwealth title in his weight and maybe win some more.