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Rances Barthelemy Defends his IBF Super Lightweight Title Successfully Against Mickey Bey

RancesBy Richard “Doc” Pratt

Rances Barthelemy, 24-0, 13 KO’s, has been moving around in weight classes for his last five fights. From super featherweight, to super lightweight to lightweight with 3 Unanimous decisions and a TKO 2 win.

Mickey Bey, coming into the fight 22-1-1, 10 KO’s, with the 1 loss coming by way of TKO coming in the 10th round of a fight most would say he was winning against John Molina, JR., who is a solid puncher with a 20 KO record. In that fight, Bey, leaving his guard down more than once in the round, let his right glove drop just enough for a solid left cross from Molina that rocked him giving Molina the chance to take advantage and get the TKO. One tough loss for Bey!

Rances’ 2 in. height and 4 in. reach advantage would appear to be just that, a huge advantage, but Bey was able to stand up to the taller fighter and managed his fight well even though he was moving backward most of the fight. A clear clash of heads in the 2nd round was counted as a knock down taking a point from Rances, helping keep Bey in the fight. I had it 57-56 Barthelemy after 6 despite the knockdown. The next four rounds were competitive and went 9-10-10-9 for Rances. Making it 95-94 Barthelemy on my card. Bey, still within reach of a victory going into the championship rounds.

Round 11 seemed to find Barthelemy shifting gears and stepping up the action and taking it to Bey. He managed to do the same in the 12 taking both of the last 2 rounds giving him, on my card, the 115-112 victory in what was an entertaining and somewhat competitive fight. Excepting the non knockdown in the second round. Which, without that, would have the score a bit more lopsided in favor of Rances.

The Ref for the fight: Samuel Burgos did a great job even though he had his work cut out for him with the frequent clinches and holding. Got them separated and kept the action rather constant.

Scoring:
Doc’s card: 115-112 Barthelemy
Officially
Richard Green: 117-110 Barthelemy
Hilton Whitaker III: 117-110 Bey (Don’t know WHAT fight this guy was watching!)
Rocky Young: 116-111 Barthelemy
Winner by Split Decision: Rances Barthelemy.

Until next time. Keep your gloves up and elbows in!

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