Hapless Australian boxer Liam Wilson was dealt another cruel blow when his scheduled world title fight against Stephen Fulton was canceled after the American failed to make weight.
In farcical scenes, Fulton soared to almost 63.5kg on Saturday, almost 4.5kg more than the two-division world champion was originally due to fight Wilson in Sydney.
Fulton and Wilson were scheduled to fight at 59kg super featherweight before officials bumped the weight up to 60.3kg on Friday for the Tim Tszyu-Errol Spence Jr blockbuster bout.
Wilson happily agreed to the latest change, saying he is desperate to earn another world title shot with a win over the former unified world super bantamweight champion and former WBC featherweight belt holder.
But now the American team is accused of never really intending to fight on Sunday.
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“It looks like a fake,” said Wilson’s manager and former Tszyu agent Glenn Jennings.
“If you’re serious and sign at 133 pounds, there’s hope you can make it.
“Not only is this unacceptable, it is harmful to the sport. This is unprofessional, this guy has nowhere to go now.”
Undefeated Olympian Paulo Aokuso will advance to the main card to face Luis Tejeda of the Dominican Republic in a light heavyweight bout.
Wilson’s fight became the second co-main fight to be canceled this week after Fulton’s American Jermall Charlo was denied a visa to fight rising Australian Cohen Mazoudier.
AARP