The homecoming for 2016 U.S. Olympian junior welterweight Karlos Balderas has been postponed, and he will no longer be fighting on Friday’s 360 Promotions event at the Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez, California.
Balderas (14-2, 12 KOs) missed the ceremonial weigh-in after his bout was canceled due to his opponent, Gilberto Espinoza Zarate (13-2, 8 KOs), coming in overweight. The teams could not agree on terms to proceed with the fight.
Balderas, 27, from nearby Santa Maria, California, had hoped to fight close to his hometown for the first time, a mere 30-minute drive away. This contest was also set to be his debut with his new promoter, 360 Promotions.
“This show was going to be his long-awaited homecoming,” said promoter Tom Loeffler. “Our promise to him when we signed him to a promotional contract was this was the first show that he’d be on.
“The opponent said he was on weight this week, then came in 10 pounds overweight. It is disappointing and very unprofessional.”
Balderas will now make his debut with 360 Promotions on July 26 at the Commerce Casino in Commerce, California, Loeffler confirmed.
Balderas was looking to end a period of nearly 11 months of inactivity after losing to Nahir Albright via a majority decision last July.