UPDATE #2: According to Boxing Scene, both Funeka and Guzman made their contractually mandated weights this morning for the fight to continue. Per the agreement, Guzman needed to weigh in at less than 150 pounds, while Funeka needed to weigh in at less than 145 pounds. Guzman weighed in at 148.2 pounds while Funeka weighed in at 143.2. Guzman reportedly will forfeit 25% of his purse to Funeka as a penalty for coming in over weight and Funeka continuing with the fight. In addition, because Funeka made weight at the weigh-in, he will win the IBF title if he wins the fight. No word on whether he would be dropped in the ratings if he loses, even though he's fighting a welterweight instead of a lightweight.
UPDATE: According to Fight News, Funeka and Guzman will still fight tomorrow night. So long as Guzman still weighs less than 150 pounds at a second weigh-in tomorrow at 7 a.m., the two will fight. The IBF title will not be on the line for the fight. It is unknown whether the IBF will give Funeka the title outright should he win.
At the weigh in for tomorrow's scheduled 135 pound fight between Joan Guzman and Ali Funeka, Guzman weighed in at a whopping 144 pounds, putting the fight in jeopardy. Guzman has two hours to lose the weight, which would be impossible. We will provide updates in this story as they occur.
Unfortunately, this makes it likely that the entire fight will be canceled. At the very least, the IBF lightweight title will not be on the line for Guzman, although if he goes through with the fight, Funeka would still have the opportunity to win the belt, as he weighed in at 135 pounds even. Once Guzman inevitably fails to make weight the second time, Funeka's team should have the opportunity to go forward with the fight with a severe weight disadvantage, or to cancel the fight and forgo the purse. In addition, Guzman's team could cancel the fight, even if Funeka desires to go forward. According to Boxing Scene, Gary Shaw has stated that they're not going forward with the fight if Guzman weighs 144 pounds.
This isn't the first time Guzman has had weight issues. In 2008, Guzman had been scheduled to face Nate Campbell for unified lightweight titles. Guzman came in nearly four pounds over weight, and was hospitalized because he was so dehydrated. Guzman's team canceled what would have been the biggest money fight of his career, in one of several events that led to Campbell declaring bankruptcy.