Fight legend Barry McGuigan hailed Danny Butler's bravery after the Bristolian suffered painful defeat at the hands of classy Darren Barker.

A late replacement for Wayne Elcock, 22-year-old Butler proved a show-saver when stepping in at just 48 hours notice to take on Barker for the British and Commonwealth titles on a Hennessey Sports promotion at Brentwood Centre, in Essex.

An overwhelming favourite, unbeaten Barker delivered a boxing masterclass to win comfortably, referee Richie Davis mercifully stepping in after 47 seconds of the seventh round to spare Butler unnecessary punishment.

But former world super featherweight king McGuigan, watching at ringside, afterwards had words of encouragement for the beaten Spaniorum Farm gym fighter.

Praising Butler for taking the toughest fight of his career just 10 days after losing on points to English champion Darren McDermott, the Irishman said: "Without Danny, there would have been no show.

"It was very brave of him to step in when Elcock became ill and there is no disgrace in losing to a champion like Darren Barker.

"Danny showed tremendous bravery and tenacity in the ring, but was in there with a fighter who was out of his league.

"But Danny Butler will have his day, make no mistake. He will grow up to become a big and mature middleweight and he'll be a champion one day. The kid has a big heart."

Butler took the fight to 27-year-old Barker and actually won the first round. But he was on the back foot from that point on and simply had no answer to Barker's metronomic jab, superior accuracy and punching power.

"I gave it my all, but he was too good and that's all there is to it," said Butler, who suffered only the third defeat of his 21-fight career, but picked up a cheque for £12,000, his biggest payday to date.

"Congratulations to Darren, he's going to go on to bigger and better things. He has a fantastic jab and full credit to him.

"I didn't come here to just make up the numbers, I came to win it and that's what I tried to do. I felt I could have gone the full 12 rounds, but there wasn't any point in me taking any more punches when I didn't have to.

"Maybe the fight two weeks ago took a bit out of me, but I was fit and I felt sharp. But, at the end of the day, he has five years on me and is much more experienced. I know my time will come."

Butler came out firing on all cylinders and roughed the champion up to shade the first round. But Barker found his range in the next session and used his hurtful jab to work his way inside and open up his younger opponent.

Barker was far too accomplished and Butler almost went down under a heavy right cross in the third round. Lacking the power to deter the Barnet fighter, the Bristolian continued to soak up punishment and his face was marked up by the end of the fifth round.

Referee Davis threatened to call it off at the end of the sixth unless Butler landed more punches and when Barker launched another two-handed attack in the seventh, the experienced official had seen enough.