Last night ESPN aired it's Top Rank boxing, which they have been for some time now. The event was held in Temecula California.
The main event was for the IBF lightweight tittle between Champion Richard Commey and Ray Beltran. A fight that promised to be action packed did not disappoint.
Before the fight even began we had plenty to talk about. 20 year veteran Ray Beltran, who makes his home in Avondale Arizona, came in nearly 2 pounds overweight.
On Thursday Beltran weighed in at 136.8 pounds. By rule he was given an hour to cut weight. He did not return to the scale. In an interview with ESPN before the fight he said he just could not make it and he will fight at 140 from here on out.
Beltran was weighed again the morning of the fight and by rule had to be less then 145 pounds or the fight would be canceled. He made the weight and the fight went on.
Because Beltran did not make weight two things happened, even though the fight would still go as scheduled.
Beltran would not be able to take Commey's tittle, even if he won. Also Beltran would have to pay 10% of his purse to the IBF and another 10% to Commey. His 1.8 pounds over weight ended up costing him $40,000.
Beltran had a huge battle just to get in the ring, once he got in the ring he showed how tough he really is.
Beltran was knocked down twice in the first round. That did not phase him because he got up both times and put up a good fight. The fight was entertaining and both fighters were throwing plenty of power punches. Beltran had a cut over his left eye, the 15th of his career, and Commey's eye was swollen and nearly shut going in to the eight round.
Commey hit Beltran with a left that sent Beltran to the canvas. Beltran got up after the fourth time being knocked down. that wasn't enough, the ref looked in to his eyes and stopped the fight.
Commey improves to 29-2 and now has 26 knockouts and now may face off against Teofimo Lopez, if he wins his fight scheduled for July 19.
As for Beltran he did not say what was next for him in the post fight interview. Hopefully he continues to fight and entertain his fans like he has since 1999.
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