Paul Butler remains uncertain whether his opponent WBO Bantamweight Champion John Riel Casimero, will attend their bout at Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena next month.
In December 2021, the two were scheduled to fight in Dubai, but Casimero failed to take to the scales, citing viral gastritis for his absence.
Since then, rumours have circulated that Casemiro was struggling to make the 118lb championship weight.
Now, fresh concerns have cast doubt on the rescheduled bout on April 22.
In February, Casimero faced allegations of assault and reports suggest he has fled to the US.
“I’ve seen it all, it’s all up in the air at the moment”, 33-year-old Butler told Merseysportlive.
“I honestly don’t know who I’m fighting.
“I’m sat here now, five weeks out, and I don’t know who I’m fighting. All I’m hearing is that he won’t get a visa.”
Under WBO regulations, a champion cannot be stripped of his title if he doesn’t take to the scales.
Although Butler, from Ellesmere Port, was offered a shot at the interim belt against Ghana’s Joseph Agbeko, 41, he’s chosen to wait for his second chance at an undisputed title.
Yet, the fruitless trip to Dubai and lack of payday has left ‘The Baby Faced Assassin’ Butler with a bitter taste.
“I feel like I had no justice, to be fair with you”, exclaimed the former IBF Bantamweight champion.
“I walked away, I got no pay.
“I know I had the option to box, but what was I boxing Agbeko for? Money? An interim title? Did they strip him? No.”
While the setback was a hard pill to swallow for Butler, he now seeks to capitalise on the home advantage of the rescheduled contest.
“Potentially, I’ve done the right thing
“I’ve got it (the bout) back here in Liverpool.
“Justice will be me winning the World Title on April 22.”
Tickets for Probellum Liverpool on Friday, April 22 are on sale now at www.mandsbankarena.com
For full fight details and news go to Probellum.com
