Butler vacates title/Macklin set to join Matchroom/Hopkins and Kovalov in talks

Butler intends to vacate his recently won world title and move down a weight class. Strange decision.

Eddie Hearn is over in Macklins gym in Spain to finalise a deal which would see Macklin join Matchrooms stable. Rumours of a clash with Andy Lee to happen later in the year also mentioned.

Hopkins has said he would consider facing Kovalov next due to the difficulties involved in making a Stevenson fight. The IBF however have ordered him to face ex Cleverly victim Najib Mohammedi who recently beat Dudchenko (great name).

Not sure Butlers decision is that strange, he had no issues making the weight but moved up to take on the weakest title holder. I felt the size became difficult the longer that fight went on for Butler.

The IBF do have a good rule that a unification fight takes presidence over a mandatory defence which i think is a good rule

Say what you want about Hopkins but he never ducks a challenge even at his age, would be happy with either Stevenson or Kovalev, he beats one then fights the other.

Disappointed in Macklin. He's had a couple of fights on HBO but now needs Hearn??? Doesn't make sense.

Became almost irrelevant from HBO's standpoint after the GGG fight, the next fight was due to it being written into the contract.

Hopefully Kovalov will dust off the Old Stinker once and for all.

AlexHuckerby wrote:Became almost irrelevant from HBO's standpoint after the GGG fight, the next fight was due to it being written into the contract.

Maybe the American's didn't buy his Irish accent.

Wise move by Butler -- a tad too small for the world class bantams. He brought fantastic support up to Newcastle -- the Scousers took over one side of the arena (and must have made up at least half of the 3000 odd there (disappointing numbers from the home support).