The headliners on tonight’s card at the Minneapolis Convention Center should provide an exciting show for viewers of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights, and the local card will bring some much awaited entertainment for local boxing fans. The official weigh-ins took place last night at the Hilton Garden hotel in downtown Minneapolis with no drama as Minnesota state middleweight champion Caleb Truax and Chicago’s Donovan George and 130 pound contenders Rances Barthelemy and Fashai Sakkreerin respectively squared off in pre-fight stare down poses after making weight.
Truax looked visibly dehydrated as he stepped on the scale, weighing 162.2 with his shorts on, having to strip completely naked to make the contractually agreed upon 162 pound limit. This is nothing new for Truax, however, and when dropping down to the middleweight limit he has always rehydrated to the same competitive vitality that has carried him through to this point of his career. George looked very relaxed and fresh, tipping the scale at a strong 161.8 pounds, and as the two faced each other with hands up for the press photo, they both broke into a smile. This prefight exchange suggests a degree of respect and good sportsmanship that is encouraging to see between the two, but it shouldn’t fool anyone into thinking these fighters won’t be gunning for each other come fight time. Rather, it’s indicative of the integrity they are bringing to the fight, two professionals respecting each other as athletes with the determination to fight their hearts out.
Sakkreerin weighed in at 129 pounds while Barthelemy weighed in at 128.8 for their 130 pound IBF super featherweight title eliminator. Both experienced professionals, Sakkreerin, 39-3-1, 21 KOs, is an experienced veteran who promises to bring a strong challenge to the younger Barthelemy, 18-0, 11KOs. Both looked fresh and ready for tonight’s action.
Ready to challenge each other for the vacant Minnesota lightweight championship, St. Paul Natives Tony Lee, 7-1, 3 KOs and Jeremy McLaurin, 10-5, 5KOs, both looked physically strong at the weigh-in. McLaurin came in at a comfortable 134.4 pounds while Lee weighed 134.2. They put their hands up for the stare-down pose and McLaurin cracked a smile, Lee presenting a more serious look as he attempts to prove his recent inactivity will not hinder his reserve of skill and experience against the more active yet less refined McLaurin. The fight should be a treat for Minnesota fans as the two St. Paul natives do battle for local prestige.
Gavin Quinn, 1-0 of Circle Pines, MN weighed 154 pounds and Kenneth Glenn, 2-0 of Minneapolis weighed 158.8 for their 154 pound junior middleweight bout. It was not clear to boxersandwritersmagazine.com whether Glenn later made the weight or if another contractual arrangement was made.
Charles Meier, 7-2, 3 KOs of Coon Rapids, MN weighed 154 while Tyler Hultin, 5-1-2, 3 KOs of Fergus Falls weighed 153.6 for their junior middleweight grudge match.
Pat Quinn weighed 363 pounds while John Schimon, weighing an impressive 30 or so pounds less than when he lost his pro debut at Canterbury Park last October, weighed in at an official 230 pounds. This is his second fight as Quinn debuts.
Adrian Martinez of Milwaukee, WI, making his I debut, weighed 135.7 pounds while his opponent, Leonard Overstreet, 0-3 of Davenport, IA, weighed 139.2. Given that both fighters are above the 135 pound limit, it is unknown by boxersandwritersmagazine.com whether Overstreet dropped any weight or a contractual agreement was made to fight over the limit.
By Mark Connor
