Joseph Agbeko fails to fight Paul Butler over visa issues

Two-time former IBF Bantamweight champion Joseph 'King Kong' Agbeko's much-awaited bout against Paul Butler this week will not come off.

Agbeko who has fought 43 times with 5 defeats and 28 bouts by way of KO’s was expected to mount the ring and fight United Kingdom’s Paul Butler on Friday, June 25 at the Bolton Whites Hotel in UK in a final eliminator for the WBO bantamweight world title.

However, visa problems have forced Agbeko out of the contest.

According to MTK Global, a boxing and MMA management and event promotions, Agbeko encountered visa issues, leaving them with no option but to replace the ex-global ruler with another opponenet.

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Meanwhile, Paul Butler (32-2, 15 KOs) will face a new opponent in Mexico's Willibaldo Garcia this Friday. But the UK boxer is disappointed his bought with Agbeko couldn't come off.

Butler said: “It’s nice to still be fighting after the Agbeko problems. I’ve trained solid for 10 weeks so it’s good I’m still getting a fight. It’s frustrating as I’ve trained for a certain person for so long, but I have to be fully focused on getting the win on Friday night. I’ve had a look at who I’m boxing and he’s a tougher fighter than Agbeko. He is game, comes to win and doesn’t stop throwing shots, plus he’s been in with some good opponents.”