It was a jam-packed room deep in the bowels of the Pensacola Civic Center today that hosted the weigh-in for Roy Jones Jr. vs. Omar Sheika for the vacant NABO Light Heavyweight Championship bout scheduled for tomorrow night at the arena.
The weigh-in was scheduled to begin at 5pm. As 6:30 came and passed, I looked at Omar Sheika who was seated next to me. As I looked at Sheika, it was clear that he was struggling to make weight. He was pale, unusually quiet and began to complain about the long wait caused by the Commission. I did make him finally crack a smile, but that one is between us…..sorry. As everyone in the heat-filled room became increasingly frustrated, Jimmy Lennon Jr. finally began the weigh-in. Geez, for once Jr. was on time but we still had to wait!
Sheika originally weighed in .25 lbs over the limit of 175 lbs, but just a few minutes later made weight at an even 175lbs. Roy Jones Jr. weighed in at 173.25 lbs.
Weights for the remaining fights on the card were as follows:
James Freeman 171.25 lbs (catch weight 180lbs)
John Mowry 176.75 lbs
Robert Daluz did not weigh in (123lb limit)
Kieyon Bussey 122.25 lbs
Kevin Howard 280.0 (Heavyweights)
Kelvin Price 233.75
Eric Clinton did not weigh in (175lb limit)
Richmond Dalphone 173.75 lbs
Danny Ruiz 170.0 lbs (170lb limit)
Dennis Hallman 169.0 lbs
Gabe Lemley 144.75 lbs (145lb limit)
Din Thomas did not weigh in
Jason Guida 232.0 lbs (Heavyweight)
Bobby Lashley 251.5 lbs
Jose Luis Herrera 199.25 lbs (NABO Cruiserweight Championship)
BJ Flores 200.25, had to lose .25 lbs, later made weight at 200.0 lbs.
Roy Nelson 262.0 lbs (Heavyweight)
Jeff Monson 245.75 lbs
Omar Sheika 175.25 lbs, later lost .25 lbs and weighed in at 175.0 (Vacant NABO Light Heavyweight Championship)
Roy Jones Jr. 173.25 lbs