By Jake Donovan
Selcuk Aydin failed to make good on his promise to participate in a media conference call last week to help drum up interest for his upcoming showdown with Robert Guerrero. At least he plans to show up on fight night at the proper weight and ready to fight.
A 7-day checkpoint conducted by the WBC revealed Aydin (23-0, 17KO) to be at 149 lb. a week ahead of Saturday’s clash, which airs live on Showtime from the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California.
The maximum allowed weight for a fighter one week ahead of any WBC-sanctioned event is 5% of the contracted weight. Aydin and Guerrero can only weigh up to 154 lb. seven days prior to their welterweight battle.
"The good thing about signing contracts in boxing is you know when you will fight and at which weight you will compete. So it’s actually quite easy to be in the limit in time when you know what you’re doing,” stated Conny Mittermeier, Aydin’s head trainer. “As I said before we’ve had a great training camp and Selcuk is in tremendous shape. You have to feel sorry for Robert Guerrero who will be steamrolled by a fighting machine."
Aydin – born in Turkey but now based out of Germany - fights for just the second time in the United States. His previous trip to the states also coincided with his Showtime debut, scoring a split decision over Said Ouali in April ’09.
He has since posted notable wins over Jackson Bonsu and twice against Jo Jo Dan, all taking place in his native Turkey. The first fight with Dan produced a highly controversial split decision that many felt should have gone the other way. Aydin removed all doubt in their rematch, dominating their 12-round affair last November.
The rematch with Dan was the last time Aydin was seen in the ring, but remains highly confident that this weekend will produce a breakout performance.
“I can’t wait for the fight to finally begin,” Aydin said in a statement, promising to not "pull a Broner."
Aydin has said plenty in the weeks leading up to the fight, though his brash nature made his actions during last week's conference call that much more bizarre. His lone commentary during the media session was a vow to break Guerrero's jaw, which he has once again promised.
"Hey Robert, look at me – and stop looking past me," Aydin demands, convinced that Guerrero has bigger fights in mind than the one in front of him, despite his opponent's repeated insistence to the contrary. "This is the guy who will break your jaw. I know that you haven’t been in the ring for more than a year now. So you know how it feels to take a long break. You will have to take another year off when I’m done with you!"
Guerrero’s seven-day weight has yet to be confirmed, though the hometown fighter is moving up two divisions for this bout.
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of Boxingscene.com. Follow Jake on Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
