NABF MW FIGHT

Roman Karmazin vs. Antwun Echols

Prior to the Fight:

This fight was on again, off again for a couple of weeks. Finally, Steve Bash brought Antwun Echols back to LA from the Dominican Republic and it was officially on as of Tuesday, March 17^th (Happy St. Patrick's Day!)

Steve didn't know that Antwun had a cataract removed and a lens was inserted. This is standard medical procedure, but fighting with a lens is illegal in California. After presenting Antwun's fight record since the surgery, the commission told Steve Bash that if their Ophthalmologist OK'd this, it would still be a go. Steve left several messages with this doctor's voice mail but they were never returned.

I spoke to Steve the day before the fight and put him in touch with Paul Wallace. Paul arranged for Antwun to see another, approved ophthalmologist. On 3/20/09, the morning of the weigh-in, this doctor approved Antoun.

Unfortunately, Antwun came in 3 pounds over at the weigh-in. He tried to reduce one pound so he'd be allowed to reduce the other two, but it was a no-go.

Conclusion:

Roman agreed too fight Antwun. The commission docked Antwun (20%). The NABF approved the fight as a title defense; no belt for Antwun.