Beardgate – Tevin Farmer insists that Jono Carroll must shave before World Title clash

IBF super featherweight champion Tevin Farmer [28(6)-4(2)-1] has claimed that he will insist that Jono Carroll [16(3)-0-1] shaves his beard ahead of their fight tomorrow night.

The pair clash at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia and weighed in at the venue this evening.

Like at their two press conference face-offs, the head-to-head would descend into an aggressive shout-down – although ‘The American Dream’ kept his hands off the facial fluff unlike yesterday.

Immediately afterwards a peeved Farmer would tell DAZN that the Irishman will need to get the razor out ahead of fight night.

The Philly home favourite declared that “yeah he got to cut that shit!”

Farmer’s reasoning is purely vindictive, and he explained that “it don’t matter but he got to cut it.”

“He’s going to get his ass kicked regardless but I just want him to cut it.”

Carroll’s facial hair has become increasingly prominent over the past two years and has garnered the Dubliner a lot of attention.

That said, ‘King Kong’ would clarify that he has no issue removing the eye-catching chin-piece

“He’s jealous of my beard!” laughed Carroll.

“It’s a beard, it will grow back, no problem – I trimmed it this morning.”

“I’d shave my eyebrows and get into that ring, no problem. I couldn’t care less.”

“A little bit less beard but a big shiny belt, I’m happy with that.”

While Farmer was making the ‘demand’, upon further delving it looks as though Carroll would have had to shave his beard regardless.

The Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission, in their rulebook, outline rather strict guidelines on facial hair.

The relevant passage is:

21.8
m)  Participants in professional contests under the jurisdiction of the Commission shall:
   (1)  Be shaven clean except that the Commission may sanction the wearing of closely cropped mustaches or beards, or both, at its discretion.