Zolani Tete vs. Paul Butler: Preview, Fight Time, Date and Live Stream

Paul Butler will look to achieve a rare boxing feat when he takes on reigning IBF super-flyweight world champion Zolani Tete at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, England, on Friday night.

The Baby Faced Assassin (17-0, 8 KOs) is bidding to become the first Brit since Bob Fitzsimmons in 1903 to step down a weight and win a world title, per the Mirror's David Anderson.

Butler claimed the IBF belt at bantamweight last year, when he defeated Stuart Hall in Newcastle in just his 16th professional fight, though he has since relinquished it.

Having moved back down in a bid to become a two-weight world champion, the Chester-born boxer has had to be patient for his chance to take on Tete (19-3, 16 KOs). The pair were meant to meet last October, but Tete—who beat Teiru Kinoshita on points to claim the vacant IBF strap—was forced to withdraw due to a hand injury.

When: Friday, March 6 at 10 p.m. GMT

Where: Echo Arena, Liverpool, England

TV: BoxNation

Live Stream: BoxNation (subscription required and region restricted)

Tough Talk

Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images

Now fit and ready for action, Tete was hardly a shrinking violet at the pre-fight press conference in Liverpool.

The South African promised to not only add to his impressive tally of knockouts but also leave Butler with a lifelong reminder of the time they fought, per the Liverpool Echo:

"

I'm going to break his nose, I'm going to knock him out. I'm not the champion because I bought the title, I fought for it and I fought hard for it - and that's what's going to happen on Friday.

I take nothing away from Paul, he's a good champion but we're not at the same level.

"

Tete's record certainly suggests he packs a punch—11 of his bouts have failed to even make it out of the first round.

However, his last two fights suggest he is not only built to go the distance but also comfortable competing in enemy territory. He climbed off the canvas to win an action-packed final eliminator against Juan Carlos Sanchez Jr. in Baja, California, knocking the Mexican out in the 10th round before going on to beat Kinoshita in Kobe, Japan.

Victories, particularly hard-earned ones, can only breed confidence. Judging by his pre-fight promise, Tete now has plenty of it.

Home Comforts

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Butler will have the vast majority of the crowd firmly behind him at the Echo Arena.

He hopes his supporters can play a crucial role in his bid to dethrone the current champion, per the Chester Chronicle:

"

I know he’s travelled around the world but I don’t think he’ll ever have experienced something like Liverpool on Friday night. It’s going to be a very hostile atmosphere. 

There’s going be 7,000 or 8,000 all cheering for me and I’ll be in the ring first.

"

The 26-year-old hasn't needed a lot of help from others so far in his career. He has won the British and Commonwealth belts at super-flyweight, as well as the IBF title at bantamweight.

With Tete not available for the original date, Butler took the chance to hone his skills with a landslide points victory in a 10-rounder against Mexican Ismael Garnica.

Prediction

If Butler and Tete back up their words with their actions, it should be a terrific spectacle in Liverpool.

The champion stands at 5'9" and will have a height and reach advantage, though Butler managed to overcome the same issues when he faced Hall, who stands at 5'8".

His plan, according to Steve Lillis of BoxNation, is to use "educated pressure" to upset the rhythm of the visitor.

Whatever tactic Butler has used so far in his career has paid off. It is hard not to see him stretch his perfect record and come out on top on home turf.

It will take a few rounds to work Tete out, but expect Butler to win, most likely on points.