Commey vs Beltran: Tale of the tape

We’re just hours away now from the ESPN card headlined by what was supposed to be an IBF lightweight title fight between Richard Commey and Ray Beltran, a fight that goes on despite Beltran not making weight.

Here’s a look at the tale of the tape for that fight:

The fighters are the same height, but Commey has a notable four-inch reach advantage. The biggest thing, probably, is not just that Commey is six years younger at 32, but has dramatically less miles on his body. Beltran’s been in the pro ranks for 20 years now, and not only does he have the miles of his 46 pro fights on him, but every training camp — his own and his many years serving as a sparring partner, notably for Manny Pacquiao.

Most everything favors Commey on paper, but Beltran missing weight shouldn’t itself be a reason to write him off, either. If he didn’t go nuts killing himself in a futile effort to make 135 — if he knew well ahead of time there was no point in trying — then he shouldn’t be depleted or anything.

Bad Left Hook will have live coverage of Commey vs Beltran on Friday, June 28, starting at 10 pm ET on ESPN, with prelims at 7 pm ET on ESPN+