The scheduled World Boxing Organisation (WBO) bantamweight eliminator between Paul Butler [32-2, 15 KOs] and Joseph Agbeko [38-5, 28 KOs] for Friday 25th June 2021 is off, but Butler will still be fighting on the card.
Agbeko, who hasn’t had a significant fight in seven-and-a-half years, has visa issues that are preventing him from making the date. Butler, who hasn’t had a significant fight in two-and-a-half years, will instead face Willibaldo Garcia [12-4-1, 6 KO] with a minor WBO trinket on the line in a 10-round bout.
However, the former International Boxing Federation (IBF) bantamweight champion, Agbeko, in an interview with Graphic Sports said he will be ready to face Butler at a later date following the cancellation “I will be ready to face Butler at a later date because he can only fight me for the eliminator,”
“He cannot fight any other person because I am rated number one and he is behind me. It is rather unfortunate that I couldn’t provide all the paperwork for the fight because the notice for the bout was short. I look forward to facing him after his Friday bout so both camps can negotiate and prepare well.” Agbeko concluded
The experienced boxer was replaced with Garcia a 31-year-old being pulled from the Mexican club circuit, who did lose a tight majority decision to Alejandro Santiago last year and also did beat Dewayne Beamon in 2020, as well. Both Santiago and Beamon have been in world title fights in the recent past, and his last two wins have been solid for level, as well.
This one might be a little better than it seems because Garcia might be better than his win-loss record suggests at a quick glance. Butler should certainly be considered the favourite, as he’s a former titleholder at 115 lbs and all, plus has the better record and home field, but it’s been a while since he’s been in the ring with someone who really brought much of a challenge. If he looks past this guy, Garcia could be another Mexican coming to the UK and picking up a big win.
