DANNY Butler will face the biggest challenge of his young life when he clashes with hard-hitting Paul Samuels at Bethnal Green’s York Hall next week.

One of eight middleweight contenders competing for the £25,000 jackpot in Sky TV’s popular Prizefighter series on Saturday week, Bristolian Butler has been drawn against Newport-based Samuels in the first round.

The 35-year-old Welshman, a veteran of 23 professional outings, poses a very real threat to Butler’s unbeaten 13-fight record.

But the reigning British Masters super-middleweight champion, the youngest contestant at just 20, remains unfazed and says he fears no-one.

Super-confident Butler said: “The way my training has gone, I don’t think it matters who comes out of the opposite corner. Samuels is vastly experienced, can really bang and has been in with some of the best fighters in the division during his career.

“But I’m not worried by reputations. This is a fantastic opportunity for me and I have absolutely nothing to lose.”

Samuels has previously boxed for the British and IBO light middleweight titles and will be desperate to revive his career by winning a high-profile event which serves as part of Sky’s pay-per-view build-up to the Ricky Hatton show in Las Vegas.

But Butler is rated joint second favourite by bookmakers, is in the best condition of his life and insists he is ready for anybody. “It’s a chance for me to take some big scalps, make a name for myself in front of the television cameras and earn some decent money,” said the Bristolian, who boxes out of Tex Woodward’s Spaniorum Farm Gym stable in Compton Greenfield.

This will be the fourth Prizefighter tournament and comes after the success of two heavyweight shows – won by Martin Rogan and Sam Sexton – and the recent welterweights contest, where Michael Lomax triumphed.

One of three undefeated fighters on the bill – Manchester’s Martin Murray and Ballymena’s Joe Rea are the others – Butler can propel himself to the next level if successful at the York Hall.

He said: “It’s not just about the money and the glory, it’s also about opening doors for myself and raising my profile.

“This is bigger than anything I’ve been involved with at any stage of my career and it really is a win-win situation for somebody like me.

“It’s a chance to show people what I can do in front of a massive audience. I’m so excited and can’t wait to get it on.”

Former Midland Area champion Max Maxwell meets Gosport-based Steve Ede and Peterborough’s Cello Renda goes toe to toe with Yorkshireman Danny Thornton in the top half of the draw.

If Butler beats Samuels, he will face either Rae or bookmakers’ favourite Murray in the semi-final.

Odds (according to Sky Bet on November 10): 5/2 – Martin Murray; 4/1 – Danny Butler, Cello Renda and Danny Thornton; 8/1 – Joe Rea; 9/1 – Max Maxwell; 10/1 – Paul Samuels; 16/1 – Steve Ede.