By Rick Reeno and Jake Donovan
Boxingscene.com has learned that the scheduled SHOWTIME main event between Nate Campbell and Joan Guzman has been officially scrapped. Controversy swirled around the matchup for the past 24 hours, beginning with Guzman missing the lightweight limit by 3.5 pounds, then failing to make weight two hours later.
With rumors of the undefeated Dominican being treated for dehydration Friday evening, the speculation began about the fight being cancelled. It remained a rumor throughout the day, with the Mississippi State Athletic Commission threatening with a suspension and fine should Guzman pull out of the fight.
It was decided earlier this evening that, for health reasons, it was against Guzman’s best interests to proceed with the fight he all but demanded three months when moving up from junior lightweight.
Unconfirmed rumors suggest that state commissioner Jon Lewis, who has went out of way his to make himself THE story this week regarding this and other controversies, is threatening suspensions, fines and legal action against Guzman and his entire team. Their reason is that they felt Team Guzman should’ve taken the proper steps to inform that appropriate parties of their fighter’s struggles to make weight, not unlike the course of action for Jorge Barrios and his handlers prior to last weekend’s bout with Rocky Juarez.
Because they failed to do, they’re unofficially looking at a hefty fine and at least a one-year suspension, along with whatever legal action is taken by Campbell and/or the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi, which reportedly made a hefty investment into tonight’s event.
For the record, it was explained to Guzman the potential repercussions that would come with pulling out of tonight’s fight. He decided to do so anyway, and now awaits his punishment.
No word on whether Showtime will elevate another bout to the telecast, or just go with a one-fight show. Undefeated super lightweight titlist Tim Bradley makes the first defense of the belt he lifted from Junior Witter four months ago on Showtime. He faces Edner Cherry in what now becomes the evening’s makeshift main event.
An exclusive interview with unified lightweight titlist Nate Campbell will undoubtedly find its way to the broadcast as well. The bout would’ve been the first defense of the three belts he lifted from Juan Diaz earlier this year.
Even with Guzman missing weight, Campbell was still willing to proceed with the bout in a non-title capacity. He instead becomes a spectator tonight.
In an indirect way, it puts to rest the previous controversy surrounding the bout, when commissioner Jon Lewis attempted to go big dick with the various sanctioning bodies involved in several of tonight’s fights. Much debate was made of the selection of the judges; the sanctioning bodies wanted a say in at least half of the officials, while Lewis wanted home-grown talent.
Jake Donovan is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and the Tennessee Boxing Advisory Board. Comments/questions can be submitted to JakeNDaBox@gmail.com .
