Paul Butler's world title fight with Stuart Hall will go ahead despite concerns the IBF were pulling the plug.
Quotes from an official at the world governing body emerged on Wednesday night that plunged the bantamweight in doubt.
Championship chairman Lindsey Tucker told livefight.com that the IBF had decided not to sanction Hall's voluntary defence against Butler despite the June 7 fight having been announced and tickets sold.
Chester-born Butler's promoter Frank Warren was locked in trans-Atlantic phone calls overnight while Denis Hobson - Hall's promoter - worked to keep the fight alive.
The IBF insisted that Hall had to face his mandatory challenger Randy Caballero with Tucker reported to have said: “He (Hall) filed for and exception but the board denied the exception so he now has to fight Caballero within, I think, it was.
“There’s 11 people on the board and all we need is six of them to go one way. I think the vast majority of them voted “no”. They didn’t feel he should have the optional fight right now so he has to face his mandatory.”
However the Chronicle understands that the IBF have made a u-turn on their decision.
Caballero's promoters - US giants Golden Boy - have no objection to Hall making a voluntary defence against Ellesmere Port's Butler and now the IBF are understood to have fully approved the bout which will take place in Newcastle next month.
