Jay Harris Pumped For Connor Butler Clash: He's Fought Nowhere Near The Caliber That I Have
Jay Harris is once again ready to hit the road.
On February 24th, the British flyweight champion travels to Liverpool to take on unbeaten European and Commonwealth champion, Connor Butler (11-0, 1 KO), in a significant triple title clash.
In 2019, Harris hopped across the Irish Sea to Belfast and beat local hero, Paddy Barnes, at the famous Ulster Hall. That victory earned the Welshman a trip to Texas where he lost a decision to long reigning WBC flyweight champion, Julio Cesar Martinez. Last year he won the British title by stopping Tommy Frank on the Yorkshireman’s home patch. Taking his friends and family on the relatively short journey to Liverpool doesn’t faze him whatsoever.
“Oh, I honestly don’t mind it. I’ve been everywhere,” Harris (20-3, 11 KO’s) told Boxing Scene. “I’m getting to that age now and it’s becoming the norm. It’s just a ring. I don’t care about the crowd. It’s just me and him who’s gonna be fighting.
“I’m a bit more experienced now. I understand the game a lot more now. I’m much calmer in myself in the ring. I’m really fit so I’ve got a good engine. I know I can stay at a good pace for the whole fight and I’m still strong. I’m strong at 8st. It suits me. I’m calmer and more relaxed at the moment. I’m enjoying boxing at the minute.”
Harris has been a professional fighter for over a decade and it says a lot about his love of the sport that, at 33 years old, he is still working towards a second world title fight. The fact that he is willing to go over old ground to get there says even more about his determination and passion. Harris won the Commonwealth title in 2017. He became European champion in 2019. He didn’t lose either belt in the ring and he is preparing to go into the lions den to take them back from a young, hungry champion. This isn’t a case of an experienced fighter putting his all into one last all or nothing effort, Harris is going to Liverpool expecting to win.
“I’ve never been called out. It’s mad. I’ve had numerous titles over the years. I’ve had the Commonwealth, the European and the IBF international but nobody ever called me out,” he said.
“Fair do’s to Conor Butler, he’s willing to risk it all. When he loses, he’s still got time on his hands. He’s only young. This isn’t my last hurrah but I’m 33 now so I’m trying to take all these good fights and win as much as I can before I get out of the game.
“I remember when I was about his age. I was Commonwealth champion, but I’d be thinking, ‘When’s the next fight? When’s the next fight?’ There’s gonna be a lot of pressure on him because it’s in Liverpool in front of his home crowd. His team are all confident and he’s a good fighter. He was a good amateur, but I don’t think he’s fought anywhere near the caliber that I have at this minute. Nowhere near.”
Harris gave a good account of himself when losing to Martinez in 2020 but although his fights with world class operators Ricardo Sandoval and Hector Calixto were exciting spectacles for the fans, he lost both inside the distance. He is hoping that beating Butler and becoming a triple champion will act as the platform for another push towards a world title. If he does get another shot, he believes he is in a much better position to take advantage.
“I stood there and fought them didn’t I?” he laughed. “I don’t think that was the right idea. I’m too bloody tough for my own good sometimes. I’d use my head a bit more instead of just going into a fight. As I said, I’m a lot more relaxed and calm and I’d take that into the ring too. Box the way I know I can box.”
