Kobayashi vs. Chestnut - July 4th, 12:00 noon on ESPN
The Japanese title holder declared himself ready to gorge, dismissing suggestions by skeptics that his stiff jaw was nothing more than hot dog head games aimed at rattling world record holder Chestnut.
“I don’t care what they think,” the 29-year-old said through an interpreter. “I just want to battle tomorrow.”
Since going public with his ailment last month, Kobayashi underwent treatment by a specialist and a chiropractor. Event organizers said he also had a wisdom tooth extracted June 26 to relieve what they described as “jaw-thritis.”
The slender Kobayashi weighed in at 154 pounds. Chestnut, 23, came in at 215 pounds and added his voice to those unsure what to expect from the champion. “Kobayashi is the underdog,” he said, “and he’s claiming an illness.”
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