Steven Butler

Ryota Murata (16-2, 13 KOs) knocked Steven Butler (28-2-1, 24 KOs) out in the fifth round in the main event of the evening in Yokohama. The Japanese defended his regular WBA middleweight belt.

Ukrainian middleweight Vitalii Kopylenko (28-2, 16 KOs) failed to win the title of WBC international champion, losing to Canadian Steven Butler (27-1-1, 23 KOs), by split decision. In the eighth round, Kopylenko managed to send Butler to the floor with a body punch, but despite this, two judges considered that Butler was better in this fight - 96-93 twice. The third judge saw an advantage of Kopylenko in the fight - 95-94.

Aftershocks are still rippling through the Montreal boxing world from the melee that followed the Steven Butler versus Brandon Cook matchup Saturday night at the Bell Centre.

He described it as the biggest victory of his life, but undefeated Brandon Cook (18-0) who scored a dramatic 7th round KO as a visitor to the Bell Centre over Steven Butler was robbed of the chance to celebrate by a disgusting display from fans hurling debris into the ring and knocking down the newly crowned IBF north American champ.