UPDATE (1:21 p.m. ET): BoxingScene has since learned that the WBC interim 135lbs title will now be at stake for this contest, despite an already scheduled Ricardo Nunez-Jadier Herrera fight already being confirmed for that same belt. The below story appears in its originally published form.
Stephen Fulton is no longer in line to become Philadelphia’s first-ever three-division titleholder.
Despite moving up in weight, the reigning WBC 126lbs titlist badly missed the mark for Saturday’s clash with WBC junior lightweight titlist O’Shaquie Foster. Fulton, 23-1 (8 KOs) officially weighed 132lbs on his second attempt, well over the 130lbs divisional limit.
Their fight will move forward, with Fulton now required to pay a fine for the infraction and no longer eligible to win Foster’s title even if he emerges victorious on Saturday. Foster - with a win - will register as an official title defense since he honored the contracted agreement.
It remains unclear what will happen with Fulton's featherweight title. He has not fought at the weight - or at all - since he lifted the belt from Brandon Figueroa via lopsided decision in their rematch earlier this year. Should he fail to update the WBC on his plans, it will likely result in Bruce "Shu Shu" Carrington being upgraded to full titlist from his current interim status.
Carrington is due to next face Carlos Castro on January 31; the above scenario would significantly raise the stakes for their scheduled contest.
Meanwhile, Fulton's scale fail is another hit to an otherwise attractive PBC on Prime Video pay-per-view event, which airs live this Saturday from Frost Bank Center, home to the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs.
Earlier this week, the undercard lost a middleweight unification match. IBF and WBO titlist Janibek Alimkhanuly, 17-0 (12 KOs) was pulled after he produced an adverse finding for elevated levels of the banned substance Meldonium.
WBA titlist Erislandy Lara, 31-3-3 (19 KOs) remains on the card, as he will now face Johan Gonzalez, 36-4 (34 KOs).
The balance of the card remains intact, including the main event as Isaac Cruz and Lamont Roach Jnr both made weight.
Mexico City’s Cruz officially checked in at 138.6lbs for the first defense of his WBC interim 140lbs title.
Roach, 25-1-2 (10 KOs) weighed 139.6lbs, consistent with his proving to be the naturally bigger fighter in this matchup despite the one moving up. The 30-year-old from the greater Washington D.C. area holds the WBA130lbs title, but will be relieved of his reign once the bell sounds to begin the scheduled 12-round bout.
In his previous bout, Roach moved up to lightweight and held WBA 135lbs titlist Gervonta Davis to a 12-round, majority draw. He advanced one more division to face Cruz after plans fell through for a rematch with Davis.
All weights were conducted in a private ceremony under the supervision of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations (TDLR). The ceremonial weigh-in is due to take place this afternoon.
