Photo Courtesy of SnapLocally.com
“I guarantee it wont go 10 rounds. I will embarrass Joey so bad he never wants to fight me again. I want to make him quit.” Raphael Butler
Raphael Bulter, Courtesy SnapLocaly.com
I was able to talk with Raphael “The Silencer” Butler last night, and man does he sound ready. I really get the feeling he is more motivated than he has ever been in his career, actually he told me so. We talked about his future goals and his new motivation, his daughter. He also shared that his friendship with Abell should actually make this an even more entertaining fight. Who wants to get beat by a buddy? Butler said some of the greatest fights have come between friends. After talking with Butler, there is no doubt, he has no plans of letting Abell have that one-up. Below is our conversation.
M….Why boxing?
Butler….I found out early on that I was too competitive for team sports. I was always yelling and getting mad. Boxing is the perfect sport for me. My mistake is my mistake, you only have yourself in the ring.
M….Have you always trained under Dan O’Connor?
Butler….Always, he taught me how to fight. I was about 15 when I started the amateurs and turned pro in June of 2004 when I was 20.
M….What has been your biggest moment in boxing to this point?
Butler….Winning the 2004 Golden Glove tournament. That sparked me going pro. It was the first tournament I took seriously. I learned that if I put my all into something nothing could stop me. Before, I had always been told I couldn’t do anything.
M….Where do you see yourself next year at this time?
Butler….If things go to plan, I will be back to where I was a year ago, fighting top 10 guys. I have always felt that I have the talent, but now I also have the drive. The birth of my daughter has given me a new outlook, and more motivation.
M….In one of your radio interviews leading up to this fight I heard you mention that you would like to face Chris Arreola. Any reasons as to why you want to fight him?
Butler….He is just not what boxing is about. He is what those who don’t know boxing think it is. He has a loud mouth and doesn’t respect the sport. I would like to take care of that. The great fighters I have worked with are humble and respectful.
M….How would you describe Joey Abell as a fighter?
Butler….Joey is a decent fighter, he does a good job. I think Joey has a lot to learn. I don’t believe Joey is on my level and I am getting sick of hearing people compare us, I have fought top guys and worked with fighters like Klitschko among others.
M….Do you think Abell possesses world class power?
Butler….He has huge power, maybe more natural power then me. I have only been hit harder by a couple guys, one being klitschko.
M….How would you describe yourself?
Butler….Always learning, I am like a sponge in camp. I take something new from every camp I’m in. I am a well schooled fighter who knows how to adjust once the fight starts.
M….Do you feel like you want this win more than Abell?
Butler….Well, from where I stand he just seems almost like he doesn’t care. I care, I have to do this. Joey has never been where I have, and I have to get back there.
M….What made now the right time for this fight to finally happen?
Butler….We are both at a point in our careers where we need to get things going. A win against the other can do that. I want to shut down all the talk comparing the two of us.
M….Do you have any predictions?
Butler….I guarantee it wont go 10 rounds. I will embarrass Joey so bad he never wants to fight me again. I want to make him quit. I like Joey and we are friends, but this is a sport and I think you want to beat your friends more than any other. You don’t want to have losing to them hanging over your head.
I would like to thank Raphael Butler for taking the time so close to his big showdown to talk with us. Raphael Butler vs Joey Abell, this Friday night at The Target Center.
Tags: Chris Arreola, Dan O'Connor, Joey Abell, Klitschko, Raphael Butler, Raphael Butler vs Joey Abell, Target Center
Ice is going to have the “one-up” after this fight. Joey is for real.
i know its a lame ass statement but this is one where i do think it comes down to who wants it mor.
Yeah, I had been saying Abell all along and have him ranked at # 1 heavy, but the more people I talk to, and after talking with Butler, I just dont know. I really dont have a pick.
too bad they didnt unleash these jabs til now. raph will take this one
this one will be all about conditioning and patience….
Well, I think they have been sitting side by side for most interviews. They do like eachother, but Butler really does believe he is in a diferant class and is sick of the Abell talk.
And, like I said after the last fights, Im sticking with what Kato says.
Kato, if that is the case, this one should be all Joey. No heavyweight is in better shape.
looks can be deceiving…cardio is a big deal….
Everyone says conditioning will be a factor for Butler. I think the biggest factor is Abell’s Chin…
Butler by KO
Todd,
One thing that I wish you would’ve asked him is about knocking down Vitali Klitschko in a sparring session in 2005. A knockdown that hurt his knee and may have added to his decision to retire. I have never heard of Raphael talking about this before. Signs of being humble? I am not sure.
I wish I had talked to you first! That would have been a great question. I do think it has something to do with his respect for Klischko, he sounded like he really liked him.
I’m most interested in seeing Butler’s weight. If it’s down far enough, I may change my pick.
Yeah, I agree, I think that Butler is in a different class. I think that Abell will have more pressure on him for this fight. Interesting to see how Abell’s chin holds up, too. Any time spent with the big Ukrainian, V. Klitschko, has to have been a good learning experience for Raphael.
I am excited that this fight is finally taking place. My prediction, Butler wins via TKO inside of 4 rounds. This will be a quick fight.
I think what has made Butler humble are his 8 losses and no victories over a meaningful opponent. Not that Abell has any either.
This is by far the only fight that either of them has had that means a bit of anything
Agreed. Boxing on Shobox is pretty insignificant and all. It’s an honor to be surrounded by such great boxing minds.
Abell fought Teke Oruh on showtime who was 14-0 that was pretty big he also won. Butler lost a UD to 31-0 Malik Scott and fought Eddie Chambers. I thought he was in each one until stamina came in this will be two nationally looked at guys fighting in MN from MN and for MN. In my Eyes its a underated fight.
I cant wait for it. And I do believe this fight will help one of them get another step closer to their dreams. I agree that its a much bigger fight than some are giving it credit to be.
How is it a much bigger fight Todd? I just don’t see it.
The weight class. Its the one class without more than a few dominant fighters world wide. I have also been told by several local boxing experts that these two should be top five in p4p rankings.
Actually this weight class has the two most dominant fighters in the world right now in any weight class at the top.
What “expert” would put Abell, who got out pointed by Al Cole in their top 5 pound for pound? You may not have been around, but there was a state wide celebration when Joey threw his first body combination in a pro fight! We hadn’t seen it before! That’s when he had momentum though.
Also, Butler just lost twice to Homero Fonseca. I know he had nice amateur credentials, but if you lose to Homero Fonseca twice and you are in MN’s top 5 pound for pound then we are in huge trouble. Le’t just pack it in. There’s a reason you don’t see heavyweights ranked in the pound for pound rankings nationally……..
Abell and Butler in the MN top 5 pound for pound is up there for absurd statement of the year!
Pac Man and Jr? I have not heard anyone argue the heavy’s being anything other than a crap shoot beyond the top 5 or so. The individuals did not go on the record, but have no financial connection with either. As you know I dont have them in my top 5 p4p, but if I were asked what fighters may make a splash beyond MN, the winner of this fight would be there with J Litzau, Andy Kolle, Truax and Hilario. (splash being within the next year or so.)
Only if Joey Abell wins will someone think he might be able to make a splash. Butler has been on the national scene and it’s just not there. Do you forget he lost 5 of 6 rounds on ESPN to Jason Gavern already? Some had him getting shut out against the fighting police man.
So you’re saying the winner of this fight belongs in the conversation of heavyweights 6-whenever on Saturday morning? I can’t see that, especially after Malik Scott of all people schooled Butler and Abell lost a decision to Al Cole. As much as I hate to say it, these two are nowhere near any significant national or worldwide ranking. Not even close.
No, I wouldnt put the winner in the world tops. But if they were given a shot at some of those guys, who knows. I believe Butler when he says he didnt have the right motivation. I know the birth of a child can and should change everything in your life. For some it makes them less in their field or sport, for others, it gives them new motivation to get things done, not just for themselves but their families. I guess my point is, I dont see why Butler or Abell wont have a chance against some of those in the top 20 or even 10 world wide. But again, I am not and have never claimed to be an expert or any more than a huge fan who has had the opportunity to watch a ton of boxing.
I agree with Cory, Joey needs to win for it to matter on the national scene. And I think he will in brutal fashion.
You wont budge off your Ice man. I really like him too, but I also really like Butler. There will be no prediction from me as to who win. I do predict major bombs though.
Butler has no stamina and gets taken out of fights as soon as he tastes the other fighter’s power. Eddie Chambers showed him exactly why he isn’t a threat to the top 10. Also, Butler doesn’t have that 1 shot power.
Abell, on the other hand, can get a guy out with one shot, but he has yet to prove he can land hard on a decent opponent.
I had never heard of Butler before this fight, but had seen Joey on Showtime once or twice before. From what I’ve heard Joe is more experienced. Having even gone to europe multiple times to fight. That doesn’t mean that he’ll win, but I usually go with the more experienced fighter. Butler is confident so that’s good. Hopefully it’ll be a good fight!