Butler to fight for IBF title instead of eliminator with Conlan

JAMIE Conlan will not fight Paul Butler for the right to challenge for the WBO super flyweight World title.

The WBO ordered an eliminator between the popular Belfast fighter and the Liverpudlian late last year, but Butler has opted instead to go the IBF route and has secured a World title shot.

The undefeated former bantamweight World champ challenges IBF World Super-Flyweight Champion Zolani Tete on Friday 6th March in Liverpool meaning another opponent will be drafted in for ‘The Mexican’ to fight for WBO mandatory status.

Cyclone Promotions have yet to confirm what is next for the brother of Olympic medalist Michael Conlan, but a World title eliminator against one of his fellow highly ranked WBO super flys is now a strong possibility for the Carl Frampton versus Chris Avalos February 28 undercard in Belfast.