Finney Arrives In Biloxi, Makes Weight For Lubin Clash
Feb 6, 2015 • 11:36 AM ET
By Jake Donovan
The past 24 hours have been a whirlwind tour for middleweight Michael Finney, who was dialed up on Thursday for an opportunity to face unbeaten blue chip prospect Erickson Lubin. The two square off in the co-feature of tonight's presentation of ESPN2 Friday Night Fights, which airs live from Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi.
Finney arrived in town Friday morning, just in time to officially weigh in for his televised showdown. The Alabama-born boxer - who now lives in Columbus, Georgia - weighed in at 157.6 lb. for tonight's fight.
Lubin weighed 153 lb. during Thursday's weigh-in for his originally scheduled eight-round super welteweight clash with Rodolfo Quintanilla.
Weight was no longer a concern when the 19-year old Floridian was forced to find a new opponent, after Quintanilla was scratched during pre-fight check-in. No specific reason was given, though rumors of Quintanilla's failing blood work are unfounded and inaccurate.
"There was an issue with his medicals that wasn't resolved in time for him to fight," confirmed John Lewis, chairman of Mississippi Athletic Commission. "I don't know what the issue was with his medicals; that doesn't come back to us. Whatever it was, we couldn't get his paperwork cleared up in time to allow him to fight."
Lubin's handlers immediately went on the search for a new opponent, stumbling upon Finney, who agreed to the fight at a modified contracted limit of 157 lb. (+/- 1 lb.).
"It's a dream come true," Finney (12-1-1, 10KOs) said of the chance to fight on national TV and against a talent like Lubin. "We were called (Thursday afternoon). I've been training for another fight, but we got this call. I just said 'Okay' and headed down."
By his own admission, Finney wasn't entirely familiar with Lubin (8-0, 6KOs) the former amateur standout who signed with the now-defunct Iron Mike Productions on his 18th birthday in Oct. '13.
"I info'd him right when I got the call," Finney admits, though who he was fighting was of less concern than the allowed weight at which he can fight. "He's in my weight class, so it was fine. I'm normally on my weight or real close, so making weight wasn't going to be an issue."
Unbeaten through his first 12 fights, Finney has hit a two-fight winless skid. A stoppage loss last March was followed by a hard-fought draw with unbeaten Wilkins Santiago last October on a show which aired live on UniMas. Fans were treated to an entertaining fight on that night, and the boxer insists home viewers can expect more of the same tonight.
"Hopefully a good show," Finney modestly suggested when asked what he plans to bring to the ring tonight. "We will do like we're supposed to, and come out with this win."
The bout serves as the chief support to a middleweight fight between Sergio Mora and Abraham 'Abie' Han. Both legs of the telecast now feature fighters who accepted assignment at late notice; Han stepped in for middleweight titlist Jermain Taylor, who was originally supposed to defend his belt but was withdrawn from the show following his incarceration last month.
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com, as well as a member of Transnational Boxing Ratings Board and the Boxing Writers Association of America. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
Jake Donovan is an award-winning journalist who served as senior writer for BoxingScene from 2007-2024, and news editor for the final nine years of his first tour. He was also the lead writer for The Ring before his decision to return home.
