East Londoner keen to move onto bigger things

CLAPTON heavyweight Larry Olubamiwo is eyeing John McDermott as well as the British title after blowing away Paul Butlin in eight rounds on Saturday.

The Hackney fighter made a winning arena debut in Liverpool as part of Frank Warren’s 30th birthday celebrations and the former Repton amateur believes he is ready for the next level.

“I’m one of the top 10 heavyweights in the country, probably top five and I want a British or even Commonwealth title shot,” Olubamiwo said.

“I’m scheduled to fight at the York Hall on January 15 and I would like to fight McDermott, it is a fight I have been gearing up to since October, when the fight was supposed to take place.”

The original clash was called off after contractual issues, meaning Saturday’s contest was his first for over six months and Olubamiwo had mixed feelings over his performance.

“I’m satisfied. There are elements I am happy with and elements I am not,” he said.

“I proved to everyone I have the stamina to go at least eight rounds and I was fully prepared to go 10. The jab worked really well for me and it wore him down and my movement was pretty good.

“I’ve got into a bad habit of leaning back when an opponent goes to hit me and my movement was not great, but a lot of it I would put down to ring rustiness.”

Olubamiwo started strongly against Butlin, using hard left jabs and bringing his right into play with some solid hooks.

His Melton Mowbray opponent tried to counter, but could only punch Olubamwio’s arms and gloves.

A right hook in round four to the side of Butlin’s head sent him crashing to the canvas as the Midlander took an eight-count.

Butlin continued to take big punches and when he was again knocked down, this time 38 seconds into the eighth, referee Terry O’Connor stopped the fight.

It was Olubamiwo’s first fight under new promoter Frank Warren after leaving Frank Maloney and the Hackney man is delighted with his new matchmaker.

“Me and Frank Maloney just could not agree on which path I should take, but I am really looking forward to working with Frank Warren,” he said.

“He’s very hands on and always asks me questions on my training and is always available to talk to on the phone.

“We are having a meeting this week to plan out my career path. He’s a great strategist and am delighted to be working with him.”