WORCESTER middleweight Harry Butler stepped in at the 11th hour to take on local boxer Darren Rhodes at Leeds Town Hall after the late withdrawal of Barnsley's Martin Thompson, but suffered a narrow defeat on points.

Rhodes, ranked 23 places above Butler, in the latest domestic rankings, had boxed as recently as three weeks ago.

On that occasion he slipped to a narrow 10 round points defeat at the hands of London-based Syrian, Hussain Osman on the undercard of heavyweight hopeful Audley Harrison's clash with Mark Krence at London's ExCel Arena.

As expected the local man was soon into his stride, banging home a series of big lefts and combinations to push Butler back across the ring, and although he managed to reply with the occasional hard left to the body the advantage stayed with Rhodes.

Rhodes launched a two-fisted assault in the third round, but Butler defended well and was able to soak up anything the Leeds man could throw in his direction while still managing the odd counter punch when the chance arose.

Neither boxer ever looked to be in trouble and both were unmarked at the end with referee Phil Edwards awarding the fight to the Leeds man 40-36.

Earlier in the evening Stourport welterweight Ernie Smith also slipped to a 40-36 defeat against another Leeds fighter, Gavin Wake, who was looking to come back from a defeat last time out, his first in seven contests.

Wake was in the driving seat from the opening bell and Smith needed an eight count in the opening round as the Leeds man swarmed forward.

An increasingly frustrated Smith was warned for low blows and the home fighter was left to call the tune.