Andre Lambe’s headline bout against Filipino Ronniel Tabayag is still scheduled to take place today despite the Bermudian boxer failing to make weight.

While his Filipino opponent comfortably came in two pounds under the legal welterweight limit of 147lb, the match was thrown into jeopardy when Lambe weighed in at 153lb.

However, the unbeaten Lambe has confirmed the fight will proceed on the Epic Entertainment Fight Night Champion promotion at The Shed, in Dockyard.

Lambe, 27, acknowledged the weight issue is his fault but revealed he gave promoters advance warning that he would struggle, citing a recent bout of Covid-19 and the added mental stress of dealing with the death of close friend Marco Warren as contributing factors to his disrupted preparation.

“First and foremost, I would like to apologise for missing the weight,” said Lambe, who will have to pay an undisclosed fine from his fight purse.

“I’m not looking to give any excuses but I know I gave advance notice that making the weight would be a major struggle because I’ve had a lot to deal with physically and mentally in the build-up and my health was ultimately the most important thing.

“A few weeks ago, unfortunately, I got Covid and although I wasn’t eating I still gained weight as I couldn’t train properly.

“Then my close friend Marco passed away and so I was dealing with a lot of added stress. At that point I gave promoters notice that I was ready to pull out altogether.

“I tried to continue to get the weight off ahead of the weigh-in but mentally and physically I just couldn’t do it.

“In hindsight, with all the added pressure and not being in the best of health, I probably would not have gone through it all and it came close to the fight not happening.

“I’ve had a lot to deal with but I’m trying my best and I will do all I can to put on a show.”