LOS ANGELES: American Joseph Diaz lost his International Boxing Federation junior-lightweight crown at Friday’s weigh-in, failing to make weight for Saturday’s bout against undefeated Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov of Tajikistan.
Diaz, a 28-year-old southpaw, was to have defended the 130-pound (59kg) title for the first time after taking it from compatriot Tevin Farmer in January 2020 by unanimous decision in his most recent fight.
Instead, Diaz lost his championship belt when he tipped the scales at 133.6 pounds and Rakhimov made weight at 129.8 pounds.
Only Rakhimov, a 26-year-old southpaw, can win the title in his US debut in…
