Edinburgh Rivals Clashed on MTK’s ‘Christmas Cracker’ Card as Butcher Makes Successful Jump to Bantamweight
Stephen Tiffney has vowed to bounce back from his first professional defeat following his points loss to Edinburgh rival Lewis Paulin in Paisley on Saturday night.
Newtongrange-based Tiffney dropped a 98-92 decision against his old amateur foe, who picked up the vacant Scottish featherweight title after his victory on MTK’s ‘Christmas Cracker’ fight night at the Lagoon Centre in Paisley.
Tiffney was ineligible to claim the title, having weighed in two pounds over the 126lb featherweight limit last Friday, and the 29-year-old former Scottish amateur champion felt he was not at his best during his first paid loss.
Many ringside observers scored the 10-round fight closer than the official scorecard, although a magnanimous Tiffney (now 8-1) was keen to praise Paulin (11-0) despite the fact that he felt he came out the wrong side of a close contest between two undefeated fighters.
“I thought the fight was a lot closer than the ref’s card and some people thought I had done enough,” said Tiffney. “There was a lot that happened through my training camp and it didn’t go to plan. I take nothing away from Lewis, though – he gave me a tough night.
“People who know me know that wasn’t me in there. I will take some time out over Christmas and new year then go again. This will only make me want to come back stronger,” added Tiffney.
MTK Scotland’s Sam Kynoch is keen to book a rematch between the pair as soon as possible in the new year.
“The result last night was disappointing and I feel that Stephen did not perform to the best of his abilities,” said Kynoch. “Credit must be given to Lewis, who fought a good fight, and his team, but I fully believe that Stephen will bounce back from this setback.
“We’ll soon make a plan of action for 2018 and I would like to see a rematch with Paulin. I think there would be demand from the fans and I am sure that both boxers would also be willing to get it on again.”
On the undercard, former WBO European flyweight champion Iain ‘Baby Butch’ Butcher made a successful jump up to bantamweight, claiming an eight-round (78-74) points win over Glasgow’s Scott McCormack.
Butcher was the better man for most of the fight, although the Motherwell man was forced to weather a late storm as McCormack piled on the pressure in the final round.
The former British and Commonwealth title challenger survived the onslaught to boost his record to 17-3 (5KO) as he looks to target titles in the new year.
“It was great to get back in there and get eight good rounds,” said Butcher. “I feel really strong at bantamweight and I think I’ll adapt even better to the weight in the new year.
“Scott gave me a bit of bother in the last round, but I came through it and showed what I’m made of. I’ll enjoy a bit of a break over Christmas but I’ll be back at it in the new year and looking for titles.
“I think a Commonwealth title shot looks realistic soon enough and I have an eye on the British title too. It’s going to be a big 2018.”
