Photos Courtesy Will Hart/HBO
NEW YORK CITY — “The Axe Man” Nicholas Walters will be making his Madison Square Garden debut on Saturday sans the WBA featherweight title after failing to make weight on Friday against Miguel Marriaga.
On his first try, Walters came in at 127.4. He was given two hours to make weight but could only get down to 127. Marriaga made weight at 125.2. While Marriaga is still competing for the title, the belt will be vacated should Walters win. Walters won the vacant title in 2012 with a seventh round KO of Daniel Prescott. His reign had two successful KO defenses over Vic Darchinyan and Nonito Donaire.
The opening lightweight HBO bout features rising Puerto Rican prospect Felix Verdejo against Ivan Najera. Verdejo tipped the scales at 133, and Najera at 131.4.
The Boxing After Dark card airs Saturday June 13 at 10 p.m. ET.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 