Pellulo Signs Heavyweight Alonzo Butler - Should We Care?
By Michael Woods May 31st, 2006Artie Pellulo inks undefeated heavyweight Alonzo Butler
We hear at TSS that promoter Art Pelullo/Banner Promotions has signed 26-year-old heavyweight Alonzo Butler of Knoxville, Tennessee, to a promotional contract.
They say that Alonzo is a hard-hitting prospect who weighs in at around 250 pounds and has a professional record of 22-0-1 with 17 knockouts.
They say he is managed and trained by Ace Miller, who also trained WBA heavyweight world champion John Tate.
Art Pelullo says, “We think Alonzo is a tremendous prospect with unlimited potential. He’s still very young, but we feel that he has the talent and the team to win the heavyweight championship of the world.”
Alonzo is fighting on the May 31 fight card in Airway Heights, Washington, a promotion headlined by the Manuel Medina vs. Cassius Baloyi fight for the vacant IBF jr. lightweight world title.
So what do you say, readers? Anyone who has seen Butler, feel free to leave a comment.
Is he a potential real deal?
Should we put him on the Future Star list?
Or should we not even bother?
Weigh in, TSS readers…
(Email news tips to Michael Woods at Fightwrite@gmail.com)
May 31st, 2006 at 7:28 am
I’ve seen him fight. The last time was on another ESPN card. As pointed out by Alex Stone in his coverage of that fight, Butler is a wild swinging bafoon. Good power, but average skill, he would certainly get rocked by any of todays top heavyweights or “champions.” His last fight he swung at a guy and missed by 30 miles, so badly that his whole body turned and he knocked the guy out of the ring with his a$$. Somehow, the jacka$$ in the ring decided to rule that as a knockout. Say what you will about Butler, he may be 22-0-1 but not with 17 KO’s… more like 16 KO’s and a “butting” as Mr. Stone would put it.
May 31st, 2006 at 11:31 pm
I’ve seen him spar with Owen Beck, Oliver Mcall, Sedrick Fields and other good guys. He is anything but a bafoon. Perhaps Superman would like to spend 10 rounds with Mr Butler in the ring. World Champ in 18 months!
June 1st, 2006 at 7:22 am
World Champ in 18 months? Exactly what are you smoking… it must be some pretty good stuff. I’d be utterly shocked if Butler could even get past someone along the likes of Shannon Briggs.
June 1st, 2006 at 7:32 am
And by the way Bill… your future world champ, his opponents have a combined record of 220-611-25… thats right, 220 wins, and 611 losses. He may be 22-0-1 but against opposition my grandmother could take on. Like I said, he’s a blistering buffoon.
June 1st, 2006 at 8:03 am
I’ve seen Zo fight several times. I also served as a judge for one of his fights, but he made life easy for me by scoring a first-round knockout.
Personally, I like Zo and his trainer/manager Ace Miller. But it is “sh*t or get off the pot” time. The majority of Zo’s opposition has either had upside down records or were blown-up cruiserweights. For a cat that’s normally a solid 240, there’s no reasons to be fighting such smaller and/or overmatched fighters unless you’re hiding something. He has decent skills; I think his power is good but a bit overrated.
What I do question (though not necessarily suspect) is his chin - it has never been tested. So far, we have yet to see him face adversity of any kind.
I think he’s a decent heavyweight, perhaps Top 10-ish depending on how well Artie can match/move him. He’s staying busy, so that’s a good thing. He just needs to get off of the Gerber diet and starting eating real meals in the ring.
June 1st, 2006 at 12:14 pm
Thanks guys…
Jake, good take on the subject…
Crap, or give-up-the-stall-time for Butler…
Woodsy
June 3rd, 2006 at 10:42 am
superman i bet u anything u wont u will be the next champ u cant fight u jus talk thts all u do like a lil gul and by the way zo will fight anybody and to y u at it zo fights the same fighters tht all the top fighters fight so think before u talk gul
June 5th, 2006 at 12:50 am
Alonzo Butler is at best an average prospect, I agree he’d get beat by most top heavyweights…I could imagine somebody like Owen Beck beating Butler, and look what happened to Beck against Valuev…
June 5th, 2006 at 11:45 pm
Butler beat Beck in sparring. As to shit or get off the pot, butler is working on particular skills in each fight and I see maturation in about 8 more fights. Then we will see who is right. Why rush a 26 year old when you don’t have too.
June 7th, 2006 at 4:56 am
i like tht bill guy zo will be the champ i know
June 10th, 2006 at 8:00 pm
Superman, you surely don’t understand boxing. I have been following Butler’s career for five years. I have seen a great deal of progress in Butler. Now, let me explain why you don’t know boxing. First…Butler is fighting the SAME PEOPLE all the other upcoming heavyweights are faceing….Look up their records and see! Let me give you just a couple comparisons. Andrew Greeley took undefeated prospect Eddie Chambers to an 8 round decision…Zo…3rd round TKO!! Demetrice King took golden boy Chazz Witherspoon the distance..along with Jason Estrada and lost a close decision to Terry Smith…while knocking Smith down…Zo…dominated King…Shut him out and hurt him in at least 4 of the 8 rounds. Superman…next time do your homework before making you uneducated, petty comments.
June 21st, 2006 at 9:49 pm
I have been following “Big Zo’s” career since the beginning. He is a very hard-hitting heavyweight who has a great deal of talent and potential he just needs the right people around him. About his past fights, they have been the toughest fights i do agree but thats how it is when you are an up and coming fighter. He has fought the same people that 90 percent of other fighters have had to fight and done better than most as T.C said. I do feel he still has a large amount to prove and needs to face a true tough test in someone who can match his power because i have yet to see him take a good shot but I do feel that with the right people and a little time he will be one of the top heavyweights in the world, just give him a chance he’s still young and has a lot to learn.
June 25th, 2006 at 11:28 pm
Big Zo a great prospect but not a great fighter. He will win a lot of fights but the comment made that he will be a champion one day is far and in between. Let’s face it by watching boxing weekly, the south is very week, therefore Big Zo really hasn’t broken a sweat. The ESPN fight a joke. That guy couldnt win a toughman competition. You say this guy is young. 26 is primetime for a fighter. Put him up against some stiff competition like Briggs, frans, are even some young stud that has made a name for himself. Then we can bragg about him. By the way im his #1 fan I just want to see Tennessee put back on the map again like Frankie Randall had it. Come on promoter pick up the pace, get the ball rolling show me what you got.
June 26th, 2006 at 3:20 pm
Zo is wanting the real fight. I have sen him fight as well. The real heavyweight guys should invite him for dinner. If he is not that great of fighter then his record will put people in the seats. And by the way, Zo has never ran from a fight so where is the offers? The heavyweights are hurting for a great fighter anyway. Quit bringing has beens back for a paycheck. FIGHT ZO!!!!!!!!!!
June 26th, 2006 at 10:01 pm
What’s the problem. I see a fight right now to test his skills. Butler vs Owen Beck. Beck coming off a loss and Butler trying to prove himself. Great match up.
June 27th, 2006 at 2:57 pm
Everyone has something to say, but for the ones who says that he is not good, get in the rin with him. I have seen Zo fight and his fighting is impressing. I dont understand why anyone would think that he could be a champ. Be ready to watch his next one. Win or lose he’s a great fighter
June 27th, 2006 at 2:59 pm
I meant to say he can be a champion
June 28th, 2006 at 8:35 pm
When is his next fight. Im not talking about Glass Joe at the Golden Gloves Arena.
June 30th, 2006 at 10:05 am
You can’t judge the potential of a fighter based upon who he fights. First of all, he doesn’t make the fights, secondly, timing is very important in boxing when making fights and every good manager will bring their fighter along slowly, and yes they will build a good record in the process but this is just until he feels his fighter has peaked and reached his ptotential, and at that time he will step up in compeititon… I am an avid boxing enthusiast and have been to Butler’s camp, he has one of the best teams I have ever seen with Ace Miller leading the way…I consider Mr. Miller to be one of the best trainers in the world. Butler is the most athletic heavyweight I’ve ever seen and he can box of fight either way. What you have seen on TV is a bad opponent making a talented boxer look weaker than he really is… this kid has serious skills the general public has yet to see….just my opinion
July 4th, 2006 at 8:39 pm
If he’s got the skills you mentioned then this new promoter needs to get him going and puts some money in his pocket. The heavyweight division is weak for the exception of the Kitchco. Samuel Peter and a very game James Toney. Lets get this party on and popping. He’s not getting any younger and lets be real there’s not many good heavyweight prospect. One punch is all it usually going to take.
July 7th, 2006 at 10:03 pm
By the way Jessie look at the age of the top ten heavyweights. One school of thought would say heavyweights mature later than the lighter weights. By the way Frankie was a great fighter. I will never forget when he knocked Chavez down. Incredible. Zo’s day is coming!!!!!
July 9th, 2006 at 6:11 am
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July 9th, 2006 at 10:18 pm
I hope so . The southern prospect are getting a bad rap for being week. I would love to see a champ reign from the south.
August 10th, 2006 at 9:50 pm
I watched Butler on ESPN last night and I must say he’s everything a toughman champion supposed to be. Big body lacking much nedded skills. Any top 20 heavyweight will knock the wild punching zo in three. Please polish up on his skills before fighting a prospect.
December 8th, 2006 at 5:59 pm
I’ve seen big Zo in action a few times now and i must say,DAMN THAT DUDE CAN PUNCH HARD. I agree he needs to fight someone that can give him a challenge, maybe at least two good rounds. Keep doing what you’re doing Zo, and you’ll be the next big thing in boxing history.
December 19th, 2006 at 6:09 pm
no I can not say anything postive about alonzo untill i see him fight better opponents. Second John Tate had one championship fight and lost it. can mr. mill still train Alonzo ?
February 24th, 2007 at 11:19 am
Zo is the truth….Yall will see soon enough…
March 10th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
big zo alonzo thats my brother heavyweight champ in no time doubt him if u want but im here to tell u that he is here to stay and he is from chattanooga tn
April 3rd, 2007 at 7:33 am
Im From the same gym as zo hes a good fighter if he gets he stamina up he’ll be able to do some big things
April 6th, 2007 at 2:36 pm
To Mr. Supercump. Have you ever even been in a ring before or are you one of those I wish I was an athlete guys How things he can bet anybody. I know Big Zo personaly and have also been in the ring with him. He is a very skilled fighter. I will agree that he is not ready right for a title shot but give him some time. He does have the power and the skill to hang with anyone right now but he needs to brush up on some things before he is ready. For Big Zo the sky is the limit right now and if he keeps doing what he is doing he will get there. Just a note Keep your eye out for Ben Foust another kid from Knox town and a record of 3-0 and 3 KO’s.
April 10th, 2007 at 11:53 am
Big Zo does not have a glass jaw I can assure you. I used to train under Jake Rose @ the K-town GG and saw Zo spar quite a few guys. Saw him take some pretty solid shots. This guy is no slouch. Ace will put him where he needs to be when he needs to be there. As for Big John being a flash in the pan, that had everything to do with Big John and his drugs and nothing to do with Ace. Ace has a wealth of knowlede and ability, well more than is needed to take Big Zo to the big belts.
April 22nd, 2007 at 9:57 pm
i coached alonzo in high school at chattanooga city high school. we had several kids go play college ball and i think alonzo was probably the best athelete we had. he has an upside that is unbelievable. you can take this to the bank if that young man gets in shape and stays focused he will be a great champion
June 22nd, 2007 at 8:09 pm
I’ve known Lonzo since we were three years old. I’ve been to several of his fights in the last five years and the competition wasn’t so great. However, Zo has to be in the top ten in the Southern region. A golden glove champion, he’s more than just a boxer. At Chattanooga High, his first year wrestling, he was in the top five heavyweights his junior year. In football, he played like Bruce Smith during his prime in the NFL. Tennessee Titan Tony Brown was one of our teammates from high school, but the league would kill to have a defensive player like Alonzo Butler. Zo is filled with youth. Yes, his chin hasn’t been tested,but believe you me he won’t fall easily. On a visit with him, I challenged him, as I did when we were kids, and he delightedly accepted a race up hill for about forty yards. I’m 5′10, 180lbs. and played college football recently. I run a legit 4.5 forty, he outran me uphill by five to ten yards. With the right training Zo is capable of being a world champ. His endurance is the key. I’ve seen Briggs fight, if he wants to beat Zo he better take every second serious. All it ‘ll take is one good punch to land and Mr. Briggs will see stars. SICK’EM ZO!!!!!
November 12th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
ITS FIGHT TIME NOW. THE TIME IS HERE FOR BIG ZO. LIKE I SAID BEFORE IM HIS BIGGEST FAN. IF HE BEATS DOMINICK GUINN, THE SKY IS THE LIMIT. TRAIN HARD ZO AND GO GET HIM.
November 17th, 2007 at 1:25 am
I’ve actually trained at Knoxville Golden Gloves where Big zo trained. I was a novice super-middleweight. I don’t know about competition but I saw him hit some opponents hard enough that would knock any heavyweight in the division out. I’m not saying he can. But if he lands that jab followed by an overhand right or uppercut it’s goodnight. I say why not build this kid up to get some exposure. He’s got a great attitude and is humble and would be a good addition to the heavyweight division. I was just beginning and he being the big man on campus took the time to fix my hand wraps properly. Ever since thin I have been following him. And by the way superman, has anybody beat him? Simple yes or no question with not buts. Just answer with yes or no if your man enough.
November 26th, 2007 at 11:37 pm
I trained at Knoxville GG for about 6 months before turning pro. I had over 200 amateur bouts and have seen what’s coming down the pike in the pro heavies. What you saw on TV is not the true Butler. Maybe he was nervous or went head hunting for tv I dont know but Butler can box his ass off. I saw him train spar in the knoxville gym and he has as good a boxing technique as any fighter I’ve seen in years. One of his trainers Coach (Jack) Rose worked with me on punching technique and he is one of the most knowledgable trainers I have ever been around. These guys know boxing and if I didn’t already have a trainer I’d hire these guys in 2 seconds.
Hey Navy Vol: I think you meant to say Jack and not Jake Rose…that’s the same guy I’m talking about….