Overweight Mexican Boxers

Mexico produces the toughest boxers especially in the lower weights. They have been known to produce Hall pf Fame fighters like Julio Ceasar Chavez, Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez, and countless professional boxing champions. This weekend though, a bunch of Mexican fighters were found overweight during the pre-fight weigh-in. 

First, the legendary Eric Morales was stripped of his WBC junior welterweight title after tipping the scales at 142 lbs which is 2 lbs over the limit. His opponent, Danny Garcia was paid an extra $50,000 to continue with the fight and have the chance to claim the championship belt outright. 

In Cebu, 2 Mexican boxers came for Pinoy Pride XIII and both were a bit overweight. Raul “El Bule” Hidalgo was able to shed the weight on his second attempt and he will be facing AJ "Bazooka" Banal. Javier Blanco, however, will be fighting OPBF champion Rocky “Road Warrior” Fuentes with 10 ounce gloves as a consequence for being overweight by 2 pounds. 

 Rodel Mayol's supposed title challenge for Hernan "Tyson" Marquez's WBA Light Flyweight belt is apparently cancelled because the Mexican champ was overweight. (see story on the link below)

 I do not know what has happened to these boxers.  The hardest part of being world class boxer is actually related to weight management. Maybe, it is fiesta season now in Mexico that these boxers cannot help but gorge on Nachos, Burritos, Chimichangas, and Tacos. I could probably be 300 lbs now if I lived in Mexico. It would be unfair though that their opponents will be fighting an overweight world-class Mexican fighter. It could be suicide. 

Good thing that Rodel Mayol is wise enough not to fight an oversized Mexican champ in front of passionate Mexican fans who want to see a Filipino fall. They really want to see a Pinoy KO victim because boxers like Manny Paquiao have somehow shown that Filipinos can beat the best of Mexico. The Filipino-Mexican rivalry has given boxers from both sides opportunities to visit and fight in the rival's turf. "Cheating" can easily happen via hometown decisions but cheating in weight is definitely a no-no. A trained boxer can easily kill someone 10 lbs lighter. 

 I hope that Mexican boxers can shape up and say no to Mexican goodies during training because the boxing world will miss some exciting bouts if these world-class Mexicans keep on going beyond the weight limits.

Links:

Mayol title fight cancelled
WBC regrets Morales not making weight
Weight Issues hound Pinoy Pride Challengers
Sad State of Boxing
Pinoy Pride 13 Results