European Title Fight: Dan Azeez required two trips to the scales before his fight for the European title, while Tony Yoka weighed in for the most significant fight of his professional career.
In the main event of Saturday’s card, Yoka, the gold medalist from the 2016 Olympics, takes on Carlos Takam at Zenith de Paris.
Yoka’s most recent match ended in a crushing points defeat to Martin Bakole. His chances of challenging for the heavyweight belt in the future are now in jeopardy as he takes on Takam.
He weighed 251 pounds at the Fouquet’s restaurant on the Champs-Elysee in Paris, yet he appeared to be in good spirits.
Takam, a 42-year-old veteran of the sport, has battled opponents ranging from Dereck Chisora and Anthony Joshua to Joseph Parker and Joe Joyce.
He was a large, strong man who could lift 259.3 pounds, but when they briefly faced off, Yoka’s height advantage was obvious.
Dan Azeez of London is in Paris to compete against Thomas Faure of France for the European light-heavyweight championship.
He is committed to joining the British and Commonwealth championships he has already won by winning the continental title. Yet, when he first stepped on the scales, he weighed 11 ounces over the 175-pound maximum.
At 171.4 lbs, his opponent Faure was considerably lighter than him.
By the time Azeez squared off with Faure before departing to burn off the surplus, the accustomed smile had vanished from his features. He had two hours to accomplish this.
He hurried to a neighbouring gym and jumped on a treadmill. On his second try, he was successful, weighing in at 174.4 pounds.
He wasn’t going to forfeit his chance to compete for the coveted European crown in the weight class. But that extra effort, made late in the day on the day before the fight, puts him under even more pressure for the bout on Saturday.
Lauren Price, who won a gold medal in the Olympics, will compete in her third career match. She challenges former European title contender and international opponent Naomi Mannes in her debut eight-round bout.
Mannes weighed 146.5 lbs. and Price 147 lbs.
Before shaking hands, the two exchanged expressionless looks. On Saturday, Price anticipates a fierce challenge from Mannes.
Macaulay McGowan (166.4lbs) of Wythenshawe also travels. He will take up the undefeated Frenchman Farrhad Saad at Zenith de Paris on Saturday (166.2lbs).
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