Australian boxer and former Olympian Paulo Aokuso has missed his weigh-in mark by over 2kg ahead of his latest bout as the headliner on the Battle of the Reef card.
This means that regardless of the outcome of the bout, Aokuso’s Argentinian opponent, Gabriel Omar Diaz, will be awarded the IBO Intercontinental Light Heavyweight title.
It’s a big blow for Aokuso, but the fighter has vowed to get something out of the bout by showing the rugby league fighters on the undercard what real boxing is all about.
The Battle on the Reef card features a host of rugby league players including Jason Taumalolo, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Justin Hodges, Matt Cooper, Junior Paulo, Ben Hannant, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Jarrod Wallace and Tevita Pangai Junior.
News Corp has reported that Aokuso weighs 81.3 kg, more than 2 kg over the 79 kg or five pound limit according to the old measure.
Australian boxer and former Olympian Paulo Aokuso missed weight for his IBO Intercontinental welterweight title fight against Gabriel Omar Diaz.
Gabriel Omar Diaz will automatically be awarded the IBO Intercontinental Featherweight title regardless of the outcome of the bout.
Regardless of whether Aokuso wins the fight and extends his undefeated record to 5-0, his chance to match Jeff Fenech’s world title record in his seventh fight could be compromised due to the weight loss.
He will also hand over a $7,500 penalty to Diaz.
Aokuso’s manager Fidel Tukel did not defend the weight loss, but said longtime trainer Lincoln Hudson suffering a heart attack played a role.
“It’s very disrespectful to the sport. Unacceptable,” said Tukel.
“He has lost a lot of weight, it is more than a kilogram.
“In boxing this is not fair. We have some soul searching to do.
“To be honest, there were a number of issues that created the problem we had (with Aokuso’s weight).
“We had the worst preparation we could ever ask for.
“I’ve been to 300 professional games over the years and this is the worst preparation I’ve ever seen.
Paulo’s coach suffering a heart attack has been a massive blow.
“That really touched Paulo. He didn’t have a coach. I am his manager and I will take over as his trainer for this fight.’
Parramatta Eels and New South Wales prop Junior Paulo prepares for his third boxing match at Battle on the Reef
Tevita Pangai Jr, Ben Hannant and Justin Hodges are three of the rugby league identities battling it out on the Battle on the Reef card
North Queensland Cowboys forward Jason Taumalolo will battle at home at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville.
Aokuso now wants to show rugby league players what real boxing is all about.
“I want to show them how to really box, and what boxing really is,” Aokuso said.
“It’s different to rugby league, you don’t have teammates to support you.”
Meanwhile, Diaz has admitted he had no idea the Battle of the Reef card was stacked with rugby league players.
Honestly, I have no idea about the rugby thing. I just came here prepared to box and take the title home,” he said through a translator.
“I’m ready to fight and you’ll see that on Saturday. I only came here with my trainer to take those titles and belts home. We drove 15,000 km to get here, we won’t do it in vain.’
A confident Aokuso said he expected to knock out his opponent and encouraged the NRL fighters to ‘just go in there and rock’.
“I’m here to make a statement and that’s what I do,” Aokuso said. ‘This is massive for me. I’m going to put on a show for you guys.
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