Connor Butler believes he sent the perfect message to those who doubted him after he landed the vacant European flyweight title against Matt Windle.
Speaking in the build-up to the bout, Butler, who already held the Commonwealth crown, claimed the best version of him would beat Windle, but no one could have predicted just how impressive he looked in action at the Eventim Olympia on Friday night.
Butler, in the eyes of many in attendance, won every round, despite being deducted a point in the ninth, against the 32-year-old from Birmingham, and came close to finishing the fight in the eighth round.
Windle, who has never been stopped during his professional career, was rocked when Butler landed a clean right-hand, but to his credit, he managed to see out the round and the final bell.
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All three judges scored the fight in favour of Butler, who is trained by former world champion Derry Matthews. 115-112, 118-109 and 110-117 were the official scorecards.
"A lot of people underestimate me for being young," Butler said post-fight. "Saying that I haven’t got the experience of a pro and this and that
"Let's not forget I have boxed all around the world since I was a kid. It is just another day in the office for me. It is not cockiness or arrogance; it is just confidence."
Before he added: "It feels amazing. All the hard work me and my team have put in over the last 10 weeks, my girlfriend at home, my mother, my family, and friends.
"But I can just say, Matt Windle is a very respectful gentleman, and he fought there like a warrior, and that goes a long way for me.
"There were a few times in the fight where I landed a few big shots, and my coaches always say to me before the performance, let’s go and sprinkle a bit of stardust on there tonight.
"We lit the place up, and I want to say huge condolences to my team-mate Ryan Farrag, who went and had a hell of a fight with Marcel Brathwaite in a Scouse derby. This one is for us, Ry!"
Asked what is next, Butler replied: "It is up to my team to decide. Right now, I am not focused on anything like that. I am going to have a rest and regroup, and we still have work to do in the gym. Whoever it is next, I am ready!"
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