Aussie Geale makes weight for showdown with Cotto

Challenger Daniel Geale weighed in right on the 157 pound catch-weight limit while Miguel Cotto comfortably made weight on Friday for their world title middleweight fight.

Australia's Geale stepped up to the scales first wearing just a pair of black shorts. He was followed by Cotto, who tipped the scales well under the limit at 153.6 pounds.

The two then engaged in a brief staredown at the front of the stage for the cameras ahead of Saturday's fight at the Barclays Center arena for Cotto's World Boxing Council middleweight world title.

There was some concern the 34-year-old Geale might have difficulty making the catch weight at Friday's weigh in.

The catch weight restriction was expected to favour Cotto, who has spent most of his career fighting at 147 and 140 pounds.
Geale, who is 31-3 with 16 knockouts, is expected to weigh about 168 pounds by the time he rehydrates and steps in the ring on Saturday night.

Geale's last foray to New York ended with a third-round knockout loss to hard-hitting Gennady Golovkin at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan in July of last year. He rebounded with a 12-round decision over Jarrod Fletcher in December.

The 34-year-old Cotto, who will be making the first defence of his WBC title, is the only Puerto Rican fighter to win world titles in four different weight classes.

Cotto (39-4, 32 KOs) said earlier this week he's feeling rejuvenated and in the best shape of his life after 12 months out of the ring.
Source: AFP