By Michael Collins: WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (44-0-1, 31 KO’s) struggled but was able to make the weight on Friday during the weigh-in in San Antonio, Texas, for Saturday’s fight against Marco Antonio Rubio (53-5-1, 46 KO’s). Chavez Jr., looking almost sickly and badly dehydrated, weighed in 159.5. Rubio, 31, easily made the weight at 159 and looked as if he was ready to step into the ring at that moment and start fighting.
There was no sign that he was drained or anything compared to Chavez Jr. However, Rubio fights at around 165 for his bouts and doesn’t balloon up in weight the way that Chavez Jr. typically does in all of his fights. In Chavez Jr’s last two fights, he’s come in at 185 and 179 on the night of the fight. On Saturday night, Chavez Jr. will likely weigh over 180, because he’s looked a lot heavier in the days leading up to the Rubio fight compared to his last bout against Peter Manfredo Jr. last year.
Two time world champion Nonito Donaire weighed in at 121.5 but didn’t look healthy, seeming as if he hadn’t been sleeping well the last couple of days. Vazquez Jr., 27, weighed in at a solid 122 and looked really healthy and strong. He smiled during the weigh-in and looked confident. Vazquez Jr. expects to rehydrate up to 135 to 140 for Saturday’s fight, while Donaire could come in as high as 145lbs.
Donaire is expected to win but it’s still unknown if he can fight at this weight. Vazquez is stronger and a lot sturdier than the guys that Donaire has been feasting on at flyweight, super flyweight and bantamweight. We could see an upset in the making here if Donaire can’t punch at this new weight or handle the power from the bigger Vazquez Jr.
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr 159.5 vs. Marco Antonio Rubio 159
Nonito Donaire 121.5 vs. Wilfredo Vazquez Jr 122
Vanes Martirosyan 153.5 vs. Troy Lowry 153.75