(taking this thread semi-seriously...I do think it's a rouse, however)
1.5lbs/week is right on track if you're trying to hold onto muscle. When you're at 13% body fat, the results don't look as if they're coming fast enough. When you have a hard time seeing your abs, you do need other tools as a measuring device. A scale once a week will work here, other times I am not an advocate because you should just go by the mirror. Then again, you claim you're trying to make a weight class, and if that is indeed true then use the scale to your advantage but do not get caught up in losing X amount of weight per week.
So if you are losing weight for a class, a good thing to do (drastic but better than the alternative options) is do an hour of cardio in the morning (I do not advocate empty stomach cardio, ever) and then do your usual days routine. Then go back and do cardio at night for another hour, have a protein only meal before bed and sleep. Do this sporadically and you can throw your body off enough to burn more fat; unless you're already doing something similar. You can do this like a regular IFBB pro too, but I'm keeping your goal of a weight class in mind, not trying to step onstage with Ronnie Coleman at 3.5% body fat.