By Jake Donovan

Artur Beterbiev wants nothing more than to resume his career without interruption. Radivoje ‘Hot Rod’ Kalajdzic would love nothing more than a title fight win to highlight his unlikely ring return. 

The pair of light heavyweights took an important step towards their respective goals at Friday’s weigh-in, both coming well within the 175-limit for their ESPN-televised title fight Saturday evening at Stockton Arena in Stockton, Calif.

Beterbiev (13-0, 13KOs) weighed 174.4 pounds for the second defense of the title he claimed in a 12th round knockout of Enrico Kölling in Nov. ’17. The 34-year old from Canada by way of Russia saw his lone title defense come in a 4th round knockout of previously unbeaten Callum Johnson last October in Chicago, Ill.

Promotional issues have slowed the career of Beterbiev, a two-time Olympian for his native Russia. However, all such issues are now behind him as he makes his debut under the Top Rank umbrella, having signed with the company earlier this year.

Kalajdzic (24-1, 17KOs) checked in at a trim and fit 173 pounds for his first career title defense. The 27-year old from Florida returned to the ring last year after having previously retired due to chronic hand injuries which have since healed. The 6’2” challenger has never fought past eight rounds, with his most significant fight to date coming in a highly controversial points loss to current unbeaten contender Marcus Browne more than three years ago.

In the evening’s chief support, Philippines’ Jerwin Ancajas attempts the seventh defense of his super flyweight title versus Ryuichi Funai.

Ancajas (30-1-2, 20KOs) weighed 114.2 pounds for his first fight since a disappointing 12-round draw with Alejandro Santiago last September in Fresno, Calif. The 27-year old southpaw had stormed through most of his title fight competition ever since dethroning Puerto Rico’s McJoe Arroyo in Sept. ’16. However, he came up flat in barely pulling even with Santiago in his most recent title defense. 

Funai (31-7, 22KOs) tipped the scales at 114.4 pounds for his first career title fight. The bout also marks his first-ever outside of his native Japan. 

Also featured on the show is local favorite Gabriel Flores Jr in a six-round clash versus Brazil’s Eduardo Pereira dos Reis. The 19-year old super featherweight prospect is largely responsible for the show taking place in his Stockton hometown, serving as the driving force behind the majority of the roughly 10,000 tickets sold for the event.

Both boxers easily made weight for their televised swing bout. Flores (12-0, 9KOs) checked in at 132.8 pounds, while Pereira weighed 130.8 pounds for their over-the-limit special attraction.

The ESPN tripleheader is budgeted to air live beginning at 10:00 pm ET/7:00pm PT, with the preliminary action to stream live on ESPN+. 

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox