Mexico’s Jonathan Rodriguez (25-2-1, 17 knockouts) blew his shot on the WBO 115-pound title after he missed weight by greater than six kilos. His bout versus defending titlist Kosei Tanaka (20-1, 11 KOs), scheduled for July 20, was canceled. Picture credit score: Naoki Fukuda
Junior bantamweight contender Jonathan Rodriguez had been because of face Kosei Tanaka for the WBO 115-pound title on Saturday. Nevertheless, on the weigh within the day earlier than he tipped the scales at 121.25, which means he was 6.25-pounds chubby and the combat was accurately quickly scratched.
It was exhausting to not really feel sorry for Tanaka who had performed his half and made weight, whereas Rodriguez has grow to be one thing of a pariah, particularly in Japanese circles.
His promoter, Paco Damian, who’s a disciple of the late nice Corridor of Fame promoter Don Chargin, had gone to Japan with excessive hopes solely to depart along with his story between his legs after a very tough few days.
“This example was very embarrassing,” Damian informed The Ring. “Sadly since Wednesday Jonathan began cramping, had bother respiration, and felt stress in his chest. I had no alternative however to hydrate him and attempt to keep forward of his signs. From that time we couldn’t catch up.
“No excuses on my finish. I’m the promoter and I assume all of the accountability. No finger-pointing to the fighter or coach. I really like our sport and one factor I can say is: There was by no means a foul intention on coming heavy.
“After I spoke with Mr Honda about it, I spoke the reality. He’s an honorable man with lots of expertise. I wish to consider he is aware of we by no means had a foul intention to come back chubby or to make use of it as benefit. We saved attempting till final minute to lose each little [bit of] weight we might. We completely did our greatest as a group to make the combat occur. Till medically it was not attainable.”
Rodriguez weight 121.6-pounds on the Wednesday of combat week however was unable to shift any extra weight because of the illnesses.
試合中止です
相手選手が2.9kgオーバー
再計量も断念して計量失格相手選手の体調や
試合不成立になった戦いを行う事自体、本来良くない事
色々な事を踏まえて
試合中止という判断です明日はグローブではなく
マイクを持って
リングで皆さんに顔を見せます
残念なお知らせ誠に申し訳ございません。 pic.twitter.com/Eq3ehi74dy— 田中恒成/KOsei Tanaka (@KOsei530) July 19, 2024
Previous to that, every part in line with Damian, issues had been going easily and simply how that they had deliberate.
“Every little thing was on observe,” he mentioned. “I requested them their reply was each factor goes nice.”
As soon as it grew to become apparent to Damian that issues had been veering off beam he tried to assist.
“I made some calls to the USA looking for recommendation,” he mentioned. “I used to be involved and I knew then we had been in huge bother. All of us had the hope that in some way by controlling the cramps we will preserve working safely on dropping the additional weight.
Jonathan Rodriguez (left) and his promoter Paco Damian understanding in Japan because the fighter tried to shed weight earlier than going through Kosei Tanaka – Picture courtesy of Paco Damian
“Sadly each time the cramps will come again all we labored and the burden he misplaced was in useless as a result of I needed to give him some liquids to maintain him protected, that introduced him proper again to the burden he was. We couldn’t catchup.
“On Wednesday, when this occurred, I didn’t level the finger at anyone, as an alternative I attempt to preserve everybody calm and cope with the scenario. I took over, Each time we labored to shed pounds, I pushed Jonathan to the restrict responsibly. Nevertheless, on the time I had a giant accountability and that was his well being first.”
The promoter is apologetic about what occurred and greater than prepared to take his drugs.
“This hasn’t sat effectively with me,” he mentioned. “I’ve by no means accepted excuses, excuses are for individuals that aren’t prepared to imagine accountability.
“Different athletes from totally different international locations made weight simply tremendous. The harm we now have brought on is unrepairable. Because the lead particular person of my group I assume all of the accountability to be laid upon me.”
It’s after all very early within the course of, however the JBC are notoriously powerful on offenders. That they had a no-nonsense strategy to Luis Nery who examined optimistic for zilpaterol and flagrantly missed weight towards Shinsuke Yamanaka, and was given a lifetime ban. That ban was subsequently rescinded to permit Nery to face Ring junior featherweight titleholder Naoya Inoue in Might. Every case is totally different and judged by itself benefit.
“I’m glad they’re powerful, as they need to be,” he mentioned, falling at their mercy. “I don’t know as of proper now what their verdict shall be.”
Rodriguez’s short-term future will depend on the JBC ruling, although he acquired some encouraging assist from one other sanctioning physique.
“I had a dialog with [WBC President] Mr. Mauricio Sulaiman whereas in Japan in regard to this unlucky scenario and he personally supplied me his board of medical doctors and specialists to look into what occurred to seek out out what was the reason for this, and in addition to make use of this to be as consciousness to different athletes. And in what weight class Jonathan will combat within the close to future.”
“I’ve to attend for the JBC choice,” defined Damian. “Then we are going to proceed accordingly.”
Questions and/or feedback might be despatched to Anson at [email protected].
