By Rick Reeno
Earlier this morning, the fighters weighed in for a second time in the last 24-hours, and after several stumbling blocks - BoxingScene.com was advised by both sides that we have a fight. Later tonight at the Hard Rock in Las Vegas, Ali Funeka (30-2-3, 25 KOs) and Joan Guzman (29-0-1, 17 KOs) will do battle in a rematch for the vacant IBF lightweight title. Early this morning, Guzman weighed in at 148.2-pounds and Funeka was 143.2.
Friday's weigh-in was a near disaster for Funeka. He made the division limit at 135-pounds, but Guzman, unbelievably, weighed in at 144-pounds - nearly two divisions above the contracted weight. Promoter Gary Shaw [for Funeka] and Golden Boy Promotions [for Guzman] reached an agreement to allow both fighters to weigh in on Saturday morning with Guzman being limited to 150-pounds at most, and Funeka having to weigh no more than 145.
Guzman will be penalized by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for his inability to make weight [said to be 25% of his purse]. Funeka will receive between $20-25,000 additional for moving forward with the contest. The title is only on the line for Funeka. If Guzman wins, the title remains vacant.
