Bryan defends WBA title and his weight, Makabu and Thabiso sharp and ready

BY KENNETH MILLER, DON KING PRODUCTIONS

Trevor Bryan (21-0, 15 KO) will be defending his WBA Heavyweight Championship for the first time on legendary promoter Don King “Return to Greatness’ card January 29 at WD Packard Music Hall in Warren, Ohio, but at the Friday weigh-in he also defended his weight.

Bryan tipped the scale at a whopping 268 pounds at WD Packard Music Hall on January 28, more than he weighed when he captured the title a year ago against Bermane Stiverne in what many described as a heavy slop fest when Bryan came in at 267.6 to Stiverne’s 267.4.

“I see you guys keep asking about my weight. Again, what my title say? My title say heavyweight champion. Heavy weight is anything over what? (200) So, I was over 200, I am a heavyweight champion, ok. So, again with that how much you weigh, I’m a heavyweight,” Bryan protested.

His challenger Jonathan Guidry (17-0-2, 10 KO) of Dulac, Louisiana weighed in at a ready looking 246 1/2 in the biggest fight of his life.

“That’s a good weight, actually I thought I would be a little heavier, but now I can move a little faster,” said Guidry.

He said he figured that Bryan would be at that weight which is why he wanted to be at 250, but is comfortable and feeling great at 246.

“I really feel like I got a big chance. I think we are going to shock the world.”

Bryan, of New York, was miffed about the question of his weight.

“But at the end of the day they are going to see that my figure looks way better than my last fight and it’s going to continue to look better when I get into the next fight with those guys over seas.”

He says that he feels good and strong and is mentally prepared to see his hands raised victorious on Saturday night.

Bryan also gave credit to his strength and conditioning coach Roman Hayes who is responsible for getting his body prepared.

“It’s going to get way better than that. We’ve been working real hard in the gym, good sparring, strength, conditioning, running, weights. Looking great, looking to feel great and going to be great tomorrow.”

Guidry boasts being in the best condition he’s ever been and plans on continuing his diet of salads and fish for the final night before the fight.

Thabiso had to wait for almost an hour for champion Ilunga Makabu join him on the scales for the weigh-in. Both fighters met the qualifications for the 200 pound weight limit, with Thabiso registering 198 ½ and Makabu at 197.

In the battle for NABA Gold Heavyweight championship Egyptian Ahmed Hefny (13-1, 5 KOs) from Egypt via Queens, NY weighed in at a chiseled 216 and his late replacement Dacarree Scott (6-0, 0KO) of Decatur, Georgia tilted at 276 ½.

The NABA Cruiserweight clash featuring Johnnie Langston (9-3, 3 KOs) of Sarasota, FL and Nick Kisner (22-5-1, 6 KOs) of Baltimore, MD has some late drama when Langson need an hour to drop under 200 pound limit and qualified by making weight. Kisner scaled in at 198 ½.

Cleveland’s Michael Moore (18-3, 8 KOs) was the big disappointment by failing to reach the 160 pound weight limit and cannot win NABA Middleweight Championship even if he wins against Anthony Lenk (17-7, 7 KOs) of Niagara Falls, NY. Moore missed weight by four pounds at 164, while Lenk can capture the title if he wins and also received part of Moore’s purse for his deliquency. Lenk weighed 159.

“I am disappointed. I needed that title and it was going to be a jump start to my career. We worked hard and I think time just got ahead of us,” said a dejected Moore.

Then Cody Wilson (10-3, 7 KOs) of West Virginia, VA and Tre’Sean Wiggins (12-5-3, 6 KOs) of Newburgh, NY both made weight for NABA Welterweight championship, with Wilson coming in at 145 and Wiggins at 145 ½.

‘Return to Greatness’ is a high stakes affair featuring two world championship fights, including WBC Cruiserweight champion Makabu (28-2) defending his world title against his South African countryman Mchunu (23-5) and an additional four North American Boxing Association (NABA) scuffles that will be available on Donking.com, DKPBoxing.com, Itube247.com and FITE.TV at a value based $49.99 for the live streaming America, $39.99 USD in Canada and the rest of the world $14.99 USD.