Ben Whittaker and Braian Suarez both came in above the light-heavyweight limit ahead of tomorrow's non-title 10-rounder that tops Matchroom Boxing's depleted Liverpool Arena show in Liverpool, England.
Big favorite and Olympic silver medalist Whitaker weighed a career-heaviest 182lbs 14oz compared to 180lbs for Suarez
"You can see the shape I'm in, we've been working good," said Whitaker.
"When the fighters come to fight, that's when you see the best in Ben Whittaker. [Surarez] is game and he's coming to win, so you'll see something special."
Whittaker, 10-0-1 (7 KOs), stepped up to headline status on the bill when Callum Smith was forced out of his battle with David Morrell with injury. No serious thought was given to throwing the 28-year-old Whittaker, who will be making his second appearance as a Matchroom fighter after switching from Boxxer, in with the accomplished Cuban.
Suarez, 21-4 (20 KOs), is noted puncher who has somewhat unsurprisingly promised to knock out Whittaker. But on his previous visit to England, the Argentinian was knocked out himself, though he did drop Lyndon Arthur before being counted out in the 10th round in 2023. That is the most noteworthy rival the 34-year-old has thus far faced.
Also on the bill is a 10-rounder for the Central Area super bantamweight title between two unbeaten fighters. Joe McGrail, 12-0 (5 KOs), will start as favorite and weighed 120lbs 14oz whereas the 10-0 (2 KOs) Aaron Hayden came in at 120lbs 15oz.
Rising attraction, the 3-0 Molly McCann, weighed 121lbs 7oz for her bout with Ashleigh Johnson, 3-3 and 120lbs 15oz.
