by Keith Idec
Gustavo Lemos made it ridiculously clear Thursday that he no intention in any way of assembly his contractual obligation for his 10-round light-weight battle with Keyshawn Davis on Friday night time.
Lemos embarrassingly exceeded the light-weight restrict of 135 kilos when he stepped on the Virginia Boxing, Martial Arts and Skilled Wrestling Advisory Board’s scale at 141.4 kilos, 6½ kilos heavier than required. Davis got here in beneath the contracted most, at 134.2 kilos, for the principle occasion of the primary present he’ll headline in his hometown of Norfolk, Virginia.
Representatives for each boxers continued to barter Thursday afternoon with promoter High Rank Inc. to achieve a monetary association that was acceptable to each side for the battle to proceed. High Rank additionally was working with Virginia’s regulatory company on the time this story was posted to decide on a brand new official contract weight as a result of the state’s rehydration rule prevents boxers from coming in additional than 10 kilos above set limits at second-day weigh-ins.
The goal weight for Lemos’ second-day weigh-in was 148 kilos, which might require the amended contract filed with Virginia’s fee to listing the official weight at 138 kilos, three above the way it initially learn.
Argentina’s Lemos (29-1, 19 KOs) hasn’t competed in a light-weight battle since he stopped Wales’ Lee Selby (28-4, 9 KOs) within the fifth spherical of their March 2022 bout at Estadio Luna Park in Buenos Aires, the Argentinean capital. The 28-year-old Lemos most just lately misplaced a 12-round unanimous determination to unbeaten New Yorker Richardson Hitchins (18-0, 7 KOs), who received their back-and-forth IBF 140-pound elimination match by scores of 117-111, 115-113 and 115-113 on April 6 at Fontainebleau Las Vegas.
The 25-year-old Davis (11-0, 7 KOs, 1 NC) has fought at or close to the light-weight restrict since he made his professional debut in February 2021. He didn’t hesitate to proceed with their battle as soon as Lemos got here in manner obese.
“Oh, I used to be joyful,” Davis instructed High Rank’s Crystina Poncher on stage. “I do know I’m gettin’ paid extra money, so the present should go on.”
ESPN+ is scheduled to stream Davis-Lemos as the principle occasion of an eight-fight card from Scope Area in downtown Norfolk. Undercard protection is about to begin at 11:20 p.m. GMT within the UK (6:20 p.m. ET in the USA).
