BUTLER BACK IN ACTION AS DISRUPT PROMOTIONS HEADS TO UZBEKISTAN FOR MAIDEN EVENT
Disrupt Promotions, in association with Lift Promotions, hosts its inaugural show in Uzbekistan this month with stars including Paul Butler, Joe McGrail, Steven Cairns and Yan Marcos all in action.
Taking place at Tashkent’s Humo Arena, on Friday June 16, the event features the return of Butler (34-3, 15 knockouts), the two-time bantamweight world champion, following his defeat to Japan’s Naoya Inoue last December.
Having launched earlier this year, Disrupt Promotions’ maiden show will feature a combination of established, experienced stars and emerging prospects out to make a mark in their respective divisions.
Disrupt Promotions said: “We are delighted to announce our first major event which features a host of exciting fighters at various stages of their careers.
“The fact we are staging the show in Uzbekistan, a country which is extremely passionate about boxing, simply adds to the excitement and anticipation.
“The card is packed with talent. Two-time world champion Paul Butler makes his eagerly awaited return to action while Joe McGrail, Steven Cairns and Yan Marcos, who are all yet to experience defeat, are three of the most exciting prospects currently competing in the sport.
“We look forward to welcoming fight fans in Uzbekistan to what we believe will be a fantastic show, with further high-profile events to follow between now and the end of the year.”
Butler, 34, competes for the first time since suffering defeat at the hands of Inoue in a bantamweight unification fight at the end of 2022 in Tokyo, and the experienced British boxer will be aiming to put only the third loss of his career to date behind him as quickly as possible.
Also featuring on the card is Liverpool-born McGrail (7-0, 2 knockouts), 20, who will be looking to extend his unbeaten run when he takes on Nicaragua’s Joel Sanchez (5-36-1, 2 knockouts).
After making his professional debut in 2021 with a victory over Mexico’s Fran Rodriguez, the younger brother of Peter McGrail has cemented his reputation as a potential star of the future with a further six consecutive wins, most recently in March when he defeated British fighter Jake Pollard courtesy of a first-round knockout.
Irishman Cairns (5-0, 2 knockouts), 20, is back in action following his March victory over Poland’s Jakub Laskowski, which took place on the Lewis Ritson vs. Ohara Davies undercard in Newcastle.
This time around, Cairns takes on Czech Republic’s Michal Dufek (35-27-2, 22 knockouts), looking to build on what has been a strong start to his career in the professional ranks so far.
Elsewhere on the card, Cuba’s hugely talented Marcos (9-0, 6 knockouts) is undoubtedly one to watch, and the 22-year-old puts his unbeaten record on the line in Uzbekistan.
Marcos has fought twice already in 2023, recording unanimous points victories against British fighters Troy Coleman and Asinia Byfield, the most recent of those bouts taking place only last month.