Doubts have emerged about the proposed world title showdown between Paul Butler and Stuart Hall, scheduled to take place next month in Newcastle.
Ellesmere Port star Butler and his promoter Frank Warren have agreed the fight with IBF bantamweight champion Hall and his promoter Dennis Hobson.
But last night boxing website Liverfight.com reported the IBF had rejected Hall's request to make a voluntary defence, instead ordering him to face Randy Caballero, his mandatory challenger.
Darlington-based Hall defeated Vusi Malinga last December to win the belt and chose to make his first defence against Martin Ward in late March.
That fight was halted in the second round after an accidental clash of heads, and the 34-year-old asked the IBF for an exception to face Butler in his second defence.
But reports suggest the IBF board has turned down his request, meaning Hall risks losing his title if he goes ahead and fights Butler at the Metro Radio Arena on June 7.
No official confirmation has been made and Butler posted on his Twitter account that he did not know what was happening.
Hobson, who is staging the show in partnership with Queensberry Promotions, posted a cryptic message on Twitter stating 'Hall will be revealed'.
Chester-born Butler, 25, has won all 15 of his professional bouts and moved up to bantamweight for the first time in March to help get him in a position to challenge Hall.
