Cage-fighting Butlin twins set for TV stardom

May 29 2009 By Nick Lavigueur

“He came high-diving with me.

“It’s something I started doing to get over my fear of heights.

“He also had a fear of heights so it was tough for him.

“He’s a good guy, he got involved, the guy did everything that I was doing.

“He made himself sick cardio training with me, so he definitely got our respect.”

Ian Butlin was a promising boxer with the Rawthorpe club before switching to cage fighting five years ago.

Cage fighting is a hybrid of boxing, wrestling and martial arts and has been described as barbaric. Contestants are allowed to punch, kick, wrestle, knee and elbow each other into submission.

Ian, a former Lindley Junior School, Salendine Nook High School and Greenhead College student, became an instant success at the sport, winning titles at home and abroad.

His twin brother, Dave, has also boxed and competed in cage fighting and is the head coach of the England cage-fighting team.

Younger brother Andy is a professional boxer.

He recently notched up another victory to make it six wins from 10 professional points by outpointing Leicester’s Simon Fleck in Bolton.

Dyer himself is enjoying his film and TV lifestyle.

“There’s so much I want to do, it’s hard to put into words. I just feel like I’ve just had a taste of what I want to do.’’