Shakur Stevenson had no troubles making weight this go around, as the star pugilist, from Newark, New Jersey, who is returning home for the second fight in a row, came in below the lightweight limit of 135 lbs weight limit. Stevenson came in at 134.6 lbs., and his challenger, Shuichiro Yoshino, weighed 135 lbs in his own right.
The winner of this bout will be the number one contender for the WBC lightweight title, which is currently held by Devin Haney. This will serve as Saturday’s main event, which will be telecast on ESPN starting 10 PM EST / 7 PM PST.
The co-feature will see surging American heavyweight Jared Anderson come in at 247.4 lbs whereas his undefeated heavyweight opponent George Arias weighed 236.6 lbs. Anderson is nine pounds heavier, as the two are scheduled to fight in a ten-round bout.
“I’m beyond focused. I’m more than ready for this fight. I’m ready to handle business and come out impressively. It’s a fight against an undefeated fighter. And we’re looking forward to being impressive,” said Jared Anderson. “I let things play out in the ring. Jerry Forrest kind of picked the ending to our last fight. I came in, and I felt too relaxed. That’s how he landed those two big shots. So, he decided the fate of that fight. Hopefully, Arias decides to let us get a couple of rounds in.”
The television opener saw Keyshawn Davis come in under the lightweight limit at 134.2 lbs, and his competitor Anthony Yigit of Sweden just slightly heavier, but under the limit himself, at 134.8 lbs. The fight is scheduled for ten rounds.
“I’m very happy to be here. I’m very thankful for this opportunity. I’m happy to be able to showcase my skills,” said Davis. “I’ve been training my whole life. I had some bumps along the road. But, hey, who said following your dreams is easy? But we’re still doing it. And I’m here. This is my time.”
The ESPN+ card will see the following fights as beginning at 7 PM EST / 4 PM PST, heavyweight Damian Knyba, 258.2 lbs vs. Curtis Harper, 267.6 lbs in an eight-round bout, middleweight Troy Isley 159.2 lbs vs. Roy Barringer 157.8 lbs, eight-round bout, featherweight Bruce Carrington 126.4 pounds vs. Brandon Chambers, 125.6 pounds, junior welterweight Kelvin Davis fighting at a catchweight weighed in at, 142.2 pounds vs. Nelson Morales 142.8 pounds, and in the opener, Antoine Cobb, 143.8 pounds will hope to conclude his trilogy with Jaylan Phillips,142.2 pounds, to open the card.