Batalla en la Zamna ESTRADA 112; ASENJO 111 IN MERIDA WEIGH-IN TODAY

By Manny Piñol

Merida, Yucatan, Mexico – World flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada officially weighed 112 lbs. while challenger Romel Asenjo of the Philippines tipped the scale at 111 lbs. during the official weigh-in at the Merida Museum Building here.

There were doubts, however, on the real weight of Estrada, who is taller by two inches than Asenjo and obviously bigger, after the Filipino challenger said he saw the Mexican champion being propped up from behind by his trainer, who was not identified.

“Tulak nya pataas si Estrada sa timbangan,” Asenjo told his handlers later.

Propping up a fighter who is on a weighing scale would effectively reduce his weight as registered by the scale.

Asenjo said he immediately called the attention of cutman Jeff de Guzman when he witnessed what Estrada’s trainer was doing but by the time De Guzman was able to react, the champion had already stepped down from the scale and was already drinking an energy drink.

“Hindi kaagad ako naka-react,” De Guzman later said. (I was not able to react right away.)

Estrada, 24, stepped on the weighing scale first followed by Asenjo.

He, however, said that during the rules meeting which he attended he told Estrada’s handlers of what Asenjo saw.

“I told them God does not sleep,” he said.

The Philippine team decided not to make a big issue by protesting since it was already too late to do so.

Asenjo, 25, who is making his second attempt at the world title, however, was undaunted.

“Gabaan man gihapon ang dayaon,” he said. (God will punish those who cheat.)

The Filipino challenger from Pigcawayan, North Cotabato who is now fighting under the Sonshine Sports Management, however, is facing a tough task.

Not only is Estrada heavier and taller, he is considered as one of the best flyweights in the world today and is fighting in his territory.

Added to that, Asenjo is a natural junior flyweight who is moving up to flyweight just to get a chance to fight for the world title again.

At stake in tomorrow’s big boxing event titled, Batalla en la Zamna, are the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and World Boxing Association (WBA) flyweight belts.

The fight will be shown on ESPN’s Golpe de Golpe.

(Photos show Estrada and Asenjo in a fight pose after the weigh in and Estrada’s trainer standing right behind him during the weigh-in. Asenjo said he saw the trainer prop up the Mexican world champion.)