Argentinian lightweight/super lightweight/welterweight contender Gustavo Lemos has shocked the boxing world after weighing in more than 6 lbs during yesterday’s weigh-ins. Lemos and Keyshawn Davis are set to headline a Top Rank show tonight [November 8], but their main event was nearly scrapped after Lemos extraordinarily weighed in as a welterweight during the official weigh-ins.
Despite Gustavo Lemos’ (29-1, 19 KO’s) unprofessionalism, the upcoming bout against Keyshawn Davis (11-0, 7 KO’s) is set to continue as normal. The original bout was set at lightweight (135 lbs), but has now been turned into a catchweight bout due to Lemos’ transgression.
Thursday’s weigh-ins depicted Keyshawn Davis weighing in at 134.2 lbs while Gustavo Lemos weighed in at 141.4 pounds―6 lbs over the 135 lbs weight limit set for their fight.
In the interview conducted after the weigh-ins, Lemos would go on to deny that he came in overweight on purpose.
“I just got overconfident and didn’t make the weight,” Gustavo Lemos responded when asked about his unprofessionalism. “Look, I come to fight and we’re going to have to continue.“
Lemos is set to make his Top Rank debut after signing with the promotion in May, but is off to a rocky start after weighing in at virtually the welterweight (147 lbs) limit―which is set between 140 and 147 lbs. Notably, Lemos weighed in at 1381/2 lbs in his last fight against Richardson Hitchins (18-0, 7 KO’s), which was comfortably within the limits set for their super lightweight (140 lbs) bout.
Prior to his last bout [a loss] against Hitchins, Gustavo Lemos faced fellow countryman Javier Jose Clavero (30-12-2, 7 KO’s) at super lightweight in December of last year and weighed in at exactly 140 lbs.
Keyshawn Davis was also available for commentary following the weigh-ins and the American contender seemed excited at the prospect of facing a heavier Gustavo Lemos:
“Oh, I was happy. I’m the only one getting paid more money so the show must go on,” A jubilant Davis stated.
The Virginia Boxing And Wrestling commission, which is overseeing this event, does not have specified rules regarding fighters coming in overweight but has pointed to contractual obligations that must be fulfilled by the promoter, meaning that the repercussions heaped on Lemos is dependent on what the bout contract states and what the promoter further decides.
Boxing News’ Keith Idec also reported that the Davis-Lemos match will cancelled if Gustavo Lemos weighs in above 146 lbs during the second-day weigh-ins that will be held today, November 8, at 08:30 AM (ET/EST).
Based on Davis’ words, the contractual agreement set between the two fighters appears to contain a “missed weight” clause where Davis will get paid either through fines imposed on Lemos or through compensation by Top Rank.
