Rocky Fielding has missed out on the chance to become a two-time British champion after failing to make weight for his fight with Dan Azeez.
Fielding, who was set to take on Azeez for his British title and the vacant Commonwealth light-heavyweight championship, came in one pound over the weight limit at Friday’s weigh-in. After scaling 12st 8lbs, Fielding did not return for a second attempt to make weight, meaning Azeez, who weighed in at 12st 5lbs 5oz, retained his British title on the scales.
The fight, however, will still go ahead as planned at the Bournemouth International Centre on Saturday night, with Azeez still having the chance to claim the vacant Commonwealth crown. A win for Azeez would see him pick up the belt, however, should Fielding come out on top, then the Commonwealth title would remain vacant.
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Speaking following the weigh-in, Azeez insisted that Fielding's weight miss will have no implications on the fight itself.
He said: "It's only a pound. Whether he comes over the weight, under the weight we've still got Saturday to deal with and that's what I'm focused on.
"I don't read too much into the weight. My aim is just to make sure I retain this title and win the Commonwealth. "I'm happy I've got the opportunity to end the year on a high."
Asked ahead of the weigh-in if he had become a forgotten man, Fielding replied: “Definitely. Because of Covid I had no big, marquee names through no fault of my own.
“I haven’t been missing – I have been ticking over. I did 30 rounds sparring with Badou Jack [a former two-weight world champion] and they didn’t get me back for a fourth spar.
“I was handling him well in Dubai. I beat John Ryder [now interim WBO super-middleweight champion]. Dan Azeez is the one who has to prove himself.
“If I beat him in style then Rocky Fielding is back in the mix for the top guys. Since the [Azeez] fight got mentioned I had to look him up.
“He had a good win against Hosea [Burton] but he maybe stayed at the weight too long and killed himself – he’s had some wars as fights, I haven’t.
“He got a split decision over Ricky Summers and I sparred Ricky years ago and we had to send Ricky back home after the second day. He does what he does well but there’s nothing I haven’t fought in my career.
“I’ve fought every style possible. It’s more about him with my style – it’s his big step up against me and see what he can deliver.”
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