Fighters make weight for world title double header
Tomorrow fight fans will get a treat thanks to Top Rank who put on a show headlined by a pair of Featherweight world title fights. Today, ahead of those bouts, the 4 men involved in them took part in their weigh in, and thankfully all 4 made weight with no issues at all.
One of the two bouts will see IBF champion Luis Alberto Lopez (29-2, 16) take on mandatory challenger Reiya Abe (25-3-1, 10) [阿部麗也], from Japan. On the scales both men looked in incredible shape, with Lopez coming in well under the limit, at around 125.25lbs whilst Abe was marginally heavier at around 125.75lbs. Whilst both men made weight with no issues, it was notable that Abe looked the much taller man, and boasted around 3"-4" height advantage. Given Lopez's unorthodox style and Abe's counter punching style, Abe will need to make that size count against a very dangerous opponent, if he is to win. He is however, the very, very clear under-dog in what is his first world title shot.
The other bout is a clash of unbeatens as Uzbekistani Otabek Kholmatov (12-0, 11) takes on Raymond Ford (14-0-1, 7) for the vacant WBA Featherweight title. On the scales Kholmatov was slightly lighter, coming in around 125.8lbs whilst Ford was marginally heavier at 125.9lbs. Although both men were listed at the same height, it did appear that Kholmatov, a huge puncher, was the taller man by an inch or two. Unlike the other bout, there isn't a clear favourite here with the bookies, though it's expected to be a genuinely thrilling match up between two men each looking to prove themselves, and announce themselves on the world stage, in what will be the first world title bout for both men.
One of the two bouts will see IBF champion Luis Alberto Lopez (29-2, 16) take on mandatory challenger Reiya Abe (25-3-1, 10) [阿部麗也], from Japan. On the scales both men looked in incredible shape, with Lopez coming in well under the limit, at around 125.25lbs whilst Abe was marginally heavier at around 125.75lbs. Whilst both men made weight with no issues, it was notable that Abe looked the much taller man, and boasted around 3"-4" height advantage. Given Lopez's unorthodox style and Abe's counter punching style, Abe will need to make that size count against a very dangerous opponent, if he is to win. He is however, the very, very clear under-dog in what is his first world title shot.
The other bout is a clash of unbeatens as Uzbekistani Otabek Kholmatov (12-0, 11) takes on Raymond Ford (14-0-1, 7) for the vacant WBA Featherweight title. On the scales Kholmatov was slightly lighter, coming in around 125.8lbs whilst Ford was marginally heavier at 125.9lbs. Although both men were listed at the same height, it did appear that Kholmatov, a huge puncher, was the taller man by an inch or two. Unlike the other bout, there isn't a clear favourite here with the bookies, though it's expected to be a genuinely thrilling match up between two men each looking to prove themselves, and announce themselves on the world stage, in what will be the first world title bout for both men.