International Boxing Federation’s third-ranked super featherweight Kenichi Ogawa of Teiken Boxing Gym tipped the scales at 58.6 kg (129.4 lbs) while the second-ranked Azinga Fuzile of South Africa weighed in at 58.7 kg (129.6 lbs) in an official weigh-ins held at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater in New York on Nov. 26 local time in preparation for the vacant IBF title on Nov. 27 (28 Japan time) at the same place. Both cleared the division’s weight limit of 58.97 kg (130 lbs).

Ogawa said, ‘’I was able to clear the weigh-in without much ado. I have been able to maintain my good condition ever since I entered New York. I didn’t feel ani tiredness. I will eat and obtain fluid so that my body can absorb them fully. I now am looking forward to eating my meal and my fight tomorrow.’’

It will be Ogawa’s first world title fight in about four years because while he beat Tevin Farmer of the U.S. in December 2017 to win the vacant IBF title, it was later declared a no contest since Ogawa tested positive for an illegal substance used to cure his cold and atopic dermatitis.

The 33-year-old Ogawa has a record of 25 wins, including 18 knockouts, against a loss and a draw with one no contest.

As for the 25-year-old Fuzile, a southpaw, he has a 15-1 win-loss tally with nine KOs. This will be his first crack at a world title. Local odds showed Fuzile is a slight favorite.

The fight will serve as the chief supporting card of undisputed world lightweight champion American Teofimo Lopez’s defense of the titles against undefeated George Kambosos Jr. of Australia.
Photo by  Ed Mulholland / Matchroom Boxing