Butler delivers first-class performance
Butler produced a workaholic performance to upstage his outspoken rival from Plymouth at the city centre Marriott Hotel and become the first Bristolian to lift the crown since Darren Dorrington ruled the region more than a decade ago.
And show promoter Hatton, who staged an eight-fight extravaganza in association with Jane Couch, afterwards claimed Butler was on the right track to become British champion.
"I'm definitely seeing signs of improvement with every fight," declared Hatton, who defends his IBO light welterweight crown against Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas on May 2.
"In my opinion, area titles are under-rated these days. But winning will act as an important stepping stone for Danny. I won a Central Area championship when I was on the way up and I remember the confidence it gave me.
"Danny is still a novice professional at this stage of his career, but winning this title will help him prepare for the next step up. He's learning all the time and we want him to feel completely confident and relaxed before we move him to the next level."
Butler, who afterwards admitted: "There are still things I need to work on," will derive satisfaction from subduing an opponent who refused to accept narrow defeat when the pair last met two-and-a-half years ago.
"He was doing a lot of talking and kept saying we had unfinished business," revealed Butler, who carved out a convincing 98-93 verdict on referee Grant Wallis's scorecard. "Our business is finished now and he can have no complaints. I think he was shocked by how much I've improved since that last fight. I wouldn't say this was my best display, but it was still a good performance."
Drake came to fight and played his part in an absorbing tussle, often smothering Butler's best work from a crouched stance. The Bristolian launched a sustained battery to put his rival down for an eight count in the fifth round, only for the Devonian to survive.
Butler had Drake in trouble on a number of occasions, but his eagerness to finish the contest caused him to hurry when a more measured approach might have paid dividends.
Although the local hero finished with a cut over his left eye, he was in almost complete control.
Spaniorum Farm stablemate Pete Leworthy (9st 8Ibs) extended his winning record to four fights but was pushed all the way by Craig Dyer (9st 10Ibs) over four rounds.
Beaten in all eight of his previous paid outings, the Swansea man made life difficult for the self-styled 'Choirboy' from Kingswood, who had to dig deep. But referee Reece Carter somehow saw it differently, scoring the contest 40-36 in favour of Leworthy.
Bristol's Martin Robins (11st 2Ibs) overcame any first night nerves on his professional debut to out-score Welshpool's Russell Pearce (10st 8Ibs) over four three-minute rounds.
The 26-year-old welterweight made light of a cut sustained over his right eye in the second round to prevail 40-37 on referee Carter's card.
Danny Gwilym (12st 3Ibs) and Welshman Jamie Ambler (12st 3Ibs) produced fireworks in a thrilling middleweight contest which ebbed and flowed over four sessions.
Bristolian Gwilym overcame a notable height and reach disadvantage and referee Grant Wallis scored it 38-37 in his favour.
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