Butlin-Howells looks a small hall cracker

Lewis Howells…former fine amateur with arena experience

AN intriguing small hall battle on Jon Pegg’s December 7 Sunday afternoon show at the Holiday Inn, Birmingham Airport.

Midlands light-heavyweight champ Dave Butlin will face adopted Welshman Lewis Howells – a former fine amateur international - over six rounds.

Also on the bill, Oscar McCracken – lawyer by day, professional boxer by night – will take part in his first six rounder. An opponent is yet to be named.

Tamworth’s Butlin is having his first contest since taking the Midlands belt in June with points victory over Ryan Whelan. And his seventh outing could prove a tough one.

A lot depends on Howells’ pre-fight application: his application to the paid game has not always been what it should be, which is why he’s not competing as a middle.

Dave Butlin…won the light-heavyweight title in his last contest

Those with burning ambition are constantly ticking over in the gym.

But Howells, from Newport, now living in Stratford-upon-Avon, is as tough and game as they come. He showed that in his last contest by climbing off the canvas to give heavy-hitting Sam Littlechild a real argument.

He has also appeared on major televised shows, giving a good account of himself against fellow former Welsh international Kyran Jones, but suffering a first round loss to Scottish sensation Sam Hickey.

Howells, aged 28, has also had six fights, winning three.

Back in 2023, Howells, married to former top amateur Molly Perkins, told me: “My goal is to get as many fights as I can. I don’t care where I fight. I’m looking to progress. If I can fight in Wales, happy days. With my amateur background, I feel a British title is something I can pick-up. A British title is the minimum goal.”

If he can recapture that hunger, Butlin faces potentially his hardest test.

The show also features unbeaten Birmingham based Bermudian Mike Tyler, Redditch welter Leo Fanthome and hot Coventry prospect Huey Malone.