By Jake Donovan
Lee Haskins and Ryosuke Iwasa are ready to throw down in their interim bantamweight title fight. Both fighters made weight for their headlining act, which airs live on UK Channel 5 from Whitchurch Sports Centre in Bristol, England.
Iwasa tipped the scales at a trim and fit 117.25 lbs., while Haskins came in right at the 118 lb. bantamweight division weight limit.
The fight represents the first title opportunity for both fighters.
For Iwasa (19-1, 12KOs) it also marks the first bout outside of his native Japan. The 25-year old southpaw comes in on the heels of an 11-fight win streak. His lone career loss came to countryman Shinsuke Yamanaka in March ’11 when both were unbeaten prospects.
Yamanaka has since established himself as the best bantamweight in the world, while Iwasa has proven his worth as a consensus Top 10 contender.
Standing in his way is combat-ready ring veteran, as well as a potentially hostile crowd.
Haskins (31-3, 13KOs) enjoys hometown advantage for his first major title opportunity, having long ago established himself as a local draw. The 31-year old has won five straight, including a technical decision win over Omar Lamiri this past February in Monaco to advance further on the title stage.
The winner of Saturday’s contest will claim an interim title, with a two-way obligation to make a fight with Randy Caballero. The reigning unbeaten titlist was forced to the sidelines after suffering an untimely injury earlier this year, which killed his plans for a voluntary defense versus Alberto Guevara.
Caballero will remain recognized as the IBF bantamweight titlist, but will be obligated to face Saturday’s winner upon his ring return or else will have to vacate his title.
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox