Danny Butler insists the bitter taste left by defeat has made him more determined to succeed in the ring.

Bristol's rising boxing star did not know the meaning of failure when rattling off 13 straight wins after joining the professional ranks in 2006.

But that proud record finally came to an end when Butler lost for the first time in his career at London's York Hall arena last month.

Although the Bristolian put up a good show in pushing eventual champion Martin Murray to a split decision in the semi-finals of the Prizefighter middleweight series, defeat still came as a hammer blow to the 21-year-old prospect.

"Losing wasn't something I was even thinking of," admits Butler. "Because I was so used to winning, when the first loss came it felt a little bit weird.

"It was a bad feeling and it took me a while to come to terms with it. But now I look back and I realise losing in the semi-finals of Prizefighter might be the best thing that ever happened to me.

"It's made me even more determined to reach the top and become a champion. Now I've been beaten and know what it's like, I don't want to go there again."

He added: "I gained great experience from the Prizefighter series, the kind of experience which will stand me in good stead in the future.

"I learned a lot and now I want to put what I learned into practice to make me a better boxer."

Defeat has sharpened Butler's appetite for battle ahead of tomorrow night's six-round non-title fight against Birmingham's Tony Randall at Bristol's city centre Marriott Hotel.

Butler is the main event on a three-fight Hatton Promotions bill and the Bristolian says he is desperate to return to winning ways in front of his own home-town supporters.

"Tony Randall is a tough act and it won't be a straightforward fight my any means," confided the British Masters super middleweight champion.

"But then I don't want anything easy. I want to test myself and give my people something to shout about."

World light welterweight champion Ricky Hatton will be present in person and the show has been a sell-out for weeks.

"This is just what I need after Prizefighters," added Butler. "Having Ricky Hatton in Bristol is so exciting and I'm sure the atmosphere inside the Marriott is going to be electric."