Boxing Weights: John Murray loses his title on the scales
© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing
There was high drama this afternoon at the Stannylands Hotel in Wilmslow, Cheshire, England as Hennessy Sports held the official weigh-in ahead of tomorrow night’s British Lightweight title clash between John Murray of Manchester and Scott Lawton of Stoke at the Robin Park Arena in Wigan, England.
The weigh-in was scheduled for 1.00 pm. Team Lawton arrived early and waited patiently for the Champion, Murray.
British Board of Boxing Control officials regularly announced the time remaining in minutes as the 2.00 pm deadline neared.
Murray, his trainer Joe Gallagher and Nutritionist/Strength Coach Kerry Kayes arrived with just five minutes to spare.
Challenger Lawton,stepped up to the scales to comfortably make the weight. But Murray – getting wiped down before he got on the scales – then had to remove his shorts.
The official weight was 61.34 kg, or 135.23 lb, which is over the lightweight limit.
Having just two minutes remaining to lose the excess weight, Murray left the weigh-in room returning two minutes later. Stripping down again – he was still half an ounce over the limit and was now out of time.
It was a tense atmosphere as discussions took place and attendees sought confirmation of the decision.
Officials announced that the fight would still go ahead, but that Murray no longer held the title. If Lawton wins tomorrow night he will take over the now-vacant title. If Murray wins tomorrow night he cannot retain the title.
Other weigh-in results were as follows:
Nadeem Siddique: 10 stone 7 lb and a quarter [147.25 lb]
Tom Glover: 10 stone 7 lb and a quarter
Asamoah Wilson: 8 stone 8 lb [120 lb]
Andrew Singh Kooner: 8 stone 9 lb [121 lb]
Congratulations to Scott Lawton on wearing the best boxer shorts I’ve ever seen at a weigh-in!