It almost seemed a cruel juxtaposition to make Andre Dirrell and James DeGale weigh in for their fight in front of Boston’s historic marketplace Faneuil Hall on Friday.
Andre Dirrell and James DeGale weren't exactly discussing their dinner plans at the weigh-in Friday at Boston's Faneuil Hall. (Suzanne Teresa/Premier Boxing Champions)
With a wealth of seafood and other edible desires just mere steps away, though, both fighters made weight for their 168-pound title fight Saturday at Agganis Arena, which will air live on NBC starting at 4:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. PT.
Positioned not far from the statue of John Adams on a sunny afternoon, Andre Dirrell and James DeGale literally got nose-to-nose when they posed for their face-off following their turns on the scale. Dirrell came in under the limit at 167.8 pounds, while DeGale was 167.2.
DeGale had a Union Jack draped over his shoulders as he and Dirrell jawed back and forth, with the conversation intensifying as it progressed. It also sparked an exchange between Dirrell’s supporters, including boxing brother Anthony Dirrell, and the British fans who came out to cheer on DeGale.
A warm afternoon in Boston seemed to ramp up the intensity between Andre Dirrell and James DeGale on Friday. (Suzanne Teresa/Premier Boxing Champions)
Boston Mayor Martin Walsh addressed the crowd before the weigh-in, and former 147-pound champion Tony DeMarco, 83, a Boston legend whose statue graces the entrance to the city’s North End, also was in attendance.
Talented title contenders Edwin Rodriguez and Craig Baker weighed 176 and 175.6 pounds, respectively, for their fight, which will open up the NBC broadcast.
Local favorite Danny O’Connor, from nearby Framingham, Massachusetts, and Vermont native Chris Gilbert weighed in at 147.4 and 146, respectively, for their fight, which will air on either NBC or NBC Sports Network, depending on the length of the other two bouts.
