Cliquez ICI pour les photos de Esther Lin / SHOWTIME
Cliquez ICI pour les photos de Sean Michael Ham / Promotions Mayweather
LAS VEGAS – Avril 27, 2019 – Robert Jr Pâques. and Rances Barthelemy fought to a split-draw in their matchup for the vacant WBA Lightweight World Title Saturday on SHOWTIME from The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
The challenging fight to score was ruled 115-113 Barthélemy, 115-113 Easter and 114-114. The WBA 135-pound title remains vacant following the split decision.
With both former world champions needing a win in a crossroads affair, neither fighter was able to pull the trigger in a matchup of talented counterpunchers. The tall, rangy lightweights competed on the outside for much of the 12-round bout, and while both relied on their reach to keep their opponent at bay, they failed to land many effective shots from the outside.
The switch-hitting Cuban Barthelemy (27-1-1, 14 KOs), who fought defensively for most of the fight, transitioned to mostly southpaw in the third. The former two-division world champion’s most effective punches appeared to be body shots from the southpaw stance, while Easter (21-1-1, 14 KOs) was at his best when he countered with his right.
As the 12-round affair progressed, the corners of both fighters – Robert Easter Sr. and former Cuban champion Joel Casamayor – pleaded with their pugilists to increase their output to little avail. Neither fighter landed 10 punches in any round, and while Easter was slightly more active they combined to throw just 743 poinçons. They combined to land just 106 poinçons totales.
“I feel I did enough to win this fight but the judges saw it differently,” dit Pâques, who was fighting for the first time since losing to pound-for-pound great Mikey Garcia in a unification last summer. “They saw it a different way. Rances is a crafty fighter, an elusive fighter. I tried to take the fight to him but he wouldn’t take it. It was hard to land my shots.”
Barthélemy, who was returning to lightweight after losing a rematch to Kiryl Relikh in his bid to become Cuba’s first three-division world champion, was frustrated with the decision.
“Robert was absent in the ring tonight,” Barthelemy said. “I wanted him to land his right and he didn’t. I wanted him to come forward and he didn’t. We were prepared for a different Robert Easter – the one that attacks – but he didn’t show up so I couldn’t deliver my strategy.
“I landed the cleaner and more accurate shots. I feel I threw more punches. I was the busier fighter. I won the fight. I think this was a missed opportunity for me. I really feel I won this fight.”
Former 140-pound world champion Viktor Postol outclassed Mohamed Mimoune in a WBC Super Lightweight Eliminator, gagner par décision unanime 98-92, 97-93, 99-91 in the SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION co-feature.
Postol fought off a stiff jab and utilized his reach advantage to keep the fight at range. The Ukrainian, who was working with Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach, was the more active fighter from bell to bell, lancement 587 punches compared to just 306 for the French Mimoune. While Mimoune was elusive and able to slip many of Postol’s power shots, he never left himself in a position to effectively counter his taller and more aggressive opponent. The southpaw Mimoune (21-3, 2 KOs) averaged just 30 punches per round and was off balance for much of the fight, throwing wide looping shots that rarely landed.
Après le combat, Postol attributed his victory with being able to remain disciplined and stick to the game plan of Roach.
“I always try to be disciplined,” Postol said. “I did well tonight. My opponent’s style was a little awkward, but I did okay. If I could fight a guy like (Terence) Crawford, I can handle Mimoune. And I did.”
Après le combat, Postol, who’s only losses came against top fighters Terence Crawford and Josh Taylor, promised to chase the elite of the 140-pound class.
“I want the next big fight,” Postol said. “Doesn’t matter who – WBC Champion Jose Ramirez would be a great choice. I was away for two years so I was a little bit worried before, but now I feel like I’m back. Je suis 100 percent back and ready for the next test.”
Hall of Famer Steve Farhood, who served as unofficial ringside scorer for the SHOWTIME telecast, gave Postol all 10 of the rounds in the WBC Eliminator.
Dans le combat d'ouverture de la télédiffusion, fast-rising heavyweight Efe Ajagba added another knockout to his resume with a second-round TKO of previously once-beaten Michael Wallisch.
Ajagba (10-0, 9 KOs) was aggressive from the outset, jetant presque 100 punches in the opening round. Utilizing a steady diet of 1-2 combos, Ajagba landed at will in the second against Wallisch, who fought behind a high guard but couldn’t prevent the Nigerian’s power shots from landing. After eating a series of combos in the second, Wallisch (19-2, 12 KOs) took a knee and was given time to recover after Ajagba appeared to throw and land a punch with his opponent on his knee. Wallisch got back up but was defenseless against Ajagba’s onslaught, forcing referee Tony Weeks to step in to stop the contest at 1:40.
“I took my time in there, I used my jab a lot and it worked,” said Agjaba, qui a débarqué 43 pour cent de ses coups en puissance. “When I shot my right hand and he took it, I decided to keep unloading. I kept throwing combinations and I knew I was hurting him so I kept doing it.
“I’m happy to be training with Ronnie (Shields). He is one of the best trainers in the world. He helped me with my jab and he’s helping me develop as a fighter.”
Said trainer Ronnie Shields: “I think we still have a lot to learn. You saw he’s a busy guy and for a big guy to throw 93 punches in the first round, it’s a lot. He may be about a year away to becoming a contender. He will get there.”
Tonight’s live event was promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions in association with About Billions Promotions.
An encore presentation of the tripleheader will air Monday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME and will be available via the network’s On Demand platforms.
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ABOUT EASTER VS. BARTHELEMY Former lightweight world champion Robert Easter Jr. and former two-division champion Rances Barthelemy will meet for the vacant WBA Lightweight Title in the main event of a SHOWTIME BOXING: ÉDITION SPÉCIALE samedi, Avril 27 from The Chelsea inside of The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and presented by Premier Boxing Champions. Couverture télévisée commence à 10 p.m. HE / 7 h, heure. PT and will also feature former super lightweight champion Viktor Postol taking on France’s Mohamed Mimoune in a WBC Super Lightweight Title Eliminator, while rising heavyweight sensation Efe Ajagba looks to remain unbeaten against once-beaten German Michael Wallisch in a 10-round heavyweight attraction.
Former Two-Division World Champion Barthelemy Takes on Robert Easter Jr. for WBA Lightweight Title This Saturday, Avril 27 En direct sur Showtime® from The Chelsea Inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and Presented by Premier Boxing Champions
Cliquez ICI pour les photos de Sean Michael Ham / Promotions Mayweather
LAS VEGAS (Avril 23, 2019) – Ancien champion du monde de deux-division Rances Barthelemy and France’sMohamed Mimounecontinued preparations for their respective showdowns at a media workout in Las Vegas Tuesday before they step into the ring this Saturday, Avril 27 en direct sur SHOWTIME de The Chelsea à l'intérieur de The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas et présenté par Premier Boxing Champions.
Barthelemy faces off against former lightweight world champion Robert Easter Jr. for the vacant WBA Lightweight title in the main event, while Mimoune takes on former champion Viktor Postol in a WBC 140-pound title eliminator as part of the action live on SHOWTIME beginning at 10 p.m. HE / 7 h, heure. PT.
Les billets pour l'événement, qui est promu par Mayweather Promotions et TGB Promotions en association avec About Billions Promotions, peuvent être achetés à www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com ou via Ticketmaster.
Here is what the workout participants had to say Tuesday from Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas:
RANCES Barthélemy
“The key thing for me to get back to the top, is to get back to my roots. It’s about using what made me a champion and getting back to that. We’ve gone back to our Cuban roots in training with Joel Casamayor and left any distractions behind. You’ll see all of that in my performance on Saturday night.
“Easter and myself are both on the road to redemption coming off of our first defeats. I expect the same Robert Easter Jr. that I’ve seen on tape. He comes forward and tries to fight it out. There’s nothing overly impressive about him to me.
“I’m ready for whatever Robert Easter Jr. wants. S'il veut une guerre, we’ll have a war. Everyone knows I’ve never backed down, but I’m going to win this fight with the intelligence that made me a world champion.
“Casamayor comes from the same streets as me, he knows my style, how I think and how I need to work. We identify with one another a lot so we don’t have to confront each other. With a simple look, I know what he’s trying to tell me. Between him and my brother, Yan, I feel blessed to have two Olympians in my corner.
“To the Cuban people, this will be my best fight and and a strong performance for the Cuban boxing community. I’m going to focus and work hard like us Cubans always have since we were born. I had to grow up through hardships and I’ve worked to show that anything is possible coming from Cuba.”
MOHAMED MIMOUNE
“Postol is one of the best that I will face but I am not afraid. I am confident I will win. I’ve studied him together with my coach and we have a strategy in place that you will see on Saturday.
“Je suis très excité pour cette opportunité. It is every boxer’s dream to fight in Las Vegas and I am happy and ready to show the Americans what I have.
“I have no issues with Postol’s height advantage. I am prepared for it. It is not my first time facing off against a boxer that is taller than me. I have a very good reach as well, but it is my speed that will beat him.
“I have worked very hard after my losses and put all my effort into bettering my performance. I’m stronger and more mature now than ever. I know I have to win and I will win.
I’m looking forward to the opportunity to fight for the world title after I win on Saturday night. I’m dedicating this fight too all French people and I hope they make sure to not miss it on Saturday.”
JOEL CASAMAYOR, Barthelemy’s Trainer
“We’ve been training since mid-February for this fight. It’s been a long three months in the gym together. I see a different Rances. He’s fighting smarter and he’s gotten back to his Cuban roots. That’s what made him a two-time world champion.
“It’s hard to predict, but if it were up to me of course I’d say Rances will win by knockout. From what I’ve seen in training camp, Rances is going to put on a great performance Saturday night. He knows what he has to do.
“We have a great connection throughout camp. I just have to look into his eyes and I feel like I know what he’s going to bring. All the hard work has been done and he’s 100 percent ready for Saturday night.”
MEHDI OUMIHA, Mimoune’s Trainer
“Mohamed Mimoune is an improved fighter who’s shown a lot of new and different skills in training. We have the right tactics to earn this victory on Saturday.
“We are prepared for what Postol can bring, but we’re focused on Mohamed Mimoune being at his best. Everything I have seen in training camp makes me very confident that we’re going to win Saturday and go on to fight for the title.”
LEONARD Ellerbe, PDG de Promotions Mayweather
“Rances has a tremendous amount of experience. If you look at his earlier fights before he became champion and during his championship runs, he’s fought on the big stage time and time again.
“I think Rances’ experience will help in a fight like this, but Robert Easter Jr. has also been in big fights. They both bring a lot of background in exciting, high-quality fights. You have two fighters with something to prove looking to do just that live on SHOWTIME Saturday night.”
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ABOUT EASTER VS. BARTHELEMY Former lightweight world champion Robert Easter Jr. and former two-division champion Rances Barthelemy will meet for the vacant WBA Lightweight Title in the main event of aBOXE SHOWTIME: ÉDITION SPÉCIALE Samedi, Avril 27 from The Chelsea inside of The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
Couverture télévisée commence à 10 p.m. HE / 7 h, heure. PT and will also feature former super lightweight champion Viktor Postol taking on France’s Mohamed Mimoune in a WBC Super Lightweight Title Eliminator, while rising heavyweight sensation Efe Ajagba looks to remain unbeaten against once-beaten German Michael Wallisch in a 10-round heavyweight attraction.
Former Two-Division World Champion Faces Former Champion Robert Easter Jr. for WBA Lightweight Title Saturday, Avril 27 En direct sur Showtime® from The Chelsea Inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and Presented by Premier Boxing Champions
Cliquez ICIfor Photos from Irving Quinonez/Damian Vasquez – Team Barthelemy
LAS VEGAS (Avril 16, 2019) – Ancien champion du monde de deux-division Rances Barthelemy discussed changes to his training camp as he nears a vacant WBA Lightweight Title showdown with former lightweight championRobert Jr Pâques. aura lieu le samedi, Avril 27 en direct sur SHOWTIME de The Chelsea à l'intérieur de The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas et présenté par Premier Boxing Champions.
Coverage on SHOWTIME begins at 10 p.m. HE / 7 h, heure. PT et mettra également en vedette l'ancien champion des super légers Viktor Postol affronter la France Mohamed Mimounein a WBC Super Lightweight Title Eliminator, tout en augmentant la sensation de poids lourd bande dessinée Ajagba looks to remain undefeated against once-beaten GermanMichael Wallisch dans une attraction des poids lourds de 10 rounds.
Les billets pour l'événement, qui est promu par Mayweather Promotions et TGB Promotions en association avec About Billions Promotions, peuvent être achetés àwww.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com ou via Ticketmaster.
After losing for the first time in his pro career in a 140-pound title fight against Kiryl Relikh last March, Barthelemy rebounded to stop Robert Frankel in December as he prepared to return to the lightweight division to face Easter. Since the loss to Relikh, Barthelemy made fellow Cuban and former world champion Joel Casamayor head trainer as he looks to return to the championship ranks.
Here is what Barthelemy had to say from training camp at Prince Ranch Bones Adams Boxing Gym in Las Vegas:
Comment le camp d'entraînement est-il allé jusqu'à présent?
“Everything has been going well under the guidance of Joel Casamayor and the assistance of my brother Yan Barthelemy and Oscar Vasquez. We have been training twice a day and sparring three to four times a week against solid guys like former world champion and ex-opponent Mickey Bey. Like they say, ‘iron sharpens iron’ and the quality of sparring has been tremendous help in getting me ready for April 27. I feel better prepared both mentally and physically than I did in my most recent fights.”
What do you make of Robert Easter Jr. and what do you know about him?
“I have seen various Robert Easter Jr fights and have been studying him very closely. He’s a great boxer who likes to use his height and reach to his advantage. He’s an ex-world champion who has fought quality opponents. He deserves all of my respect but we are very confident that we will be victorious against him.”
Do you feel you have been able to rebound from your first career defeat?
“Most definitely, I have been able to move on and use that defeat as a lesson in my career. They say sometimes we learn more in defeat than we do in victories and that was the case in that fight.
“Sometimes we do not see clearly when we are winning. Bad habits or little details that need correction are overlooked when you are winning. Sometimes we do not even see them. I feel rejuvenated and we have made many important changes that were necessary for my career. You will see on April 27 that there is still much more left from Team Barthelemy.”
What would it mean to become a champion again on April 27?
“We have no doubt that we’ll become champion again for a third time on April 27. This will bring my name back at the top of the sport with many potential big fights to be made. It will mean so much more to me because Cuban boxing has currently gone through a rough patch and this victory will allow Cuba to have a champion once again.”
Any final message to your fans before your fight?
“Please make sure to tune in on April 27. This fight will be very competitive, with two evenly-skilled former world champions looking to reclaim their status at the top of the sport. Fights like this are what make boxing great. Cuba will have a champion once again on April 27!”
Viktor Postol et le Français Mohamed Mimoune s'affrontent dans un Eliminator de titre de 140 livres et une sensation de poids lourd en hausse Efe Ajagba rencontre Michael Wallisch, une fois battu SBOXE DE CHAMPIONNAT HOWTIME® Triple en-tête
Présenté par Premier Boxing Champions de The Chelsea Inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Billets en vente lundi, Avril 1!
LAS VEGAS – (Mars 29, 2019) – Ancien champion du monde des poids légers Robert Jr Pâques.et ancien champion de deux divisions Rances Barthelemy se réunira pour le titre WBA Lightweight vacant samedi, Avril 27 en direct sur SHOWTIME de The Chelsea à l'intérieur de The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas et présenté par Premier Boxing Champions.
La couverture de SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING commence à 10 p.m. HE / 7 h, heure. PT et mettra également en vedette l'ancien champion des super légers Viktor Postol affronter la FranceMohamed Mimoune dans un éliminateur de titre super léger WBC, tout en augmentant la sensation de poids lourd bande dessinée Ajagba semble rester invaincu contre un Allemand autrefois battu Michael Wallisch dans une attraction des poids lourds de 10 rounds.
Pâques vs. Barthelemy oppose deux anciens champions de 135 livres hautement qualifiés et explosifs alors qu'ils cherchent à décrocher un titre et à se hisser à nouveau dans le premier échelon de la division des poids légers..
Easter reviendra sur le ring pour la première fois depuis la perte de son titre IBF lors d'une confrontation à l'unification avec le champion WBC et le grand livre pour livre Mikey Garcia en juillet dernier sur SHOWTIME. Barthelemy est invaincu à 135 livres et revient dans la division des poids légers pour son deuxième combat depuis la défaite d'un match revanche de 140 livres contre Kiryl Relikh en mars dernier sur SHOWTIME.
“Deux anciens champions qui cherchent à récupérer leur statut de championnat parlent d'eux-mêmes en termes d'action et de volonté de gagner que Pâques et Barthélemy apporteront le 27 avril.” a déclaré Leonard Ellerbe, PDG de Promotions Mayweather. “Les deux gars ont déjà prouvé qu'ils avaient ce qu'il fallait pour s'occuper des affaires à ce niveau. Le combat éliminateur, avec Postol apportant son expérience et Mohamed cherchant à profiter de l'occasion, est une excellente introduction à l'attraction principale de l'événement. Plus, Efe Ajagba apportera son match A + à la recherche d'une victoire sur Michael Wallisch. Les fans présents au Cosmopolitanhere de Las Vegas, et à l'écoute sur SHOWTIME, sont pour un régal.”
“Pâques vs. Barthelemy est un vrai 50-50 combat qui se terminera par l'un de ces combattants quittant le ring avec l'une des premières places de la division des poids légers,” a déclaré Tom Brown, Président de TGB Promotions. “Tous deux sont d'anciens champions du monde de poids léger et possèdent les styles et les attributs qui devraient en faire un match plein d'action. Combiné à un éliminateur de titre très compétitif entre Viktor Postol et Mohamed Mimoune, plus la puissance de frappe incontournable d'Efe Ajagba, ça va être une soirée dramatique sur SHOWTIME et au Cosmopolitan à Las Vegas.”
Les billets pour l'événement en direct, qui est promu par Mayweather Promotions et TGB Promotions en association avec About Billions Promotions, mise en vente lundi, Avril 1, et peuvent être achetés à www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com ou via Ticketmaster.
Pâques de 28 ans (21-1, 14 KOs) a remporté le championnat IBF Lightweight en 2016 en prenant une décision partagée passionnante contre Richard Commey, alors invaincu et actuel tenant du titre IBF. Après deux défenses de titre réussies dans sa ville natale de Tolède, Ohio, Easter a battu l'ancien champion Javier Fortuna par décision en janvier 2018 combattre dans SHOWTIME.
Cette victoire a mis en place une unification avec le champion WBC Mikey Garcia, dans lequel Pâques a survécu à un renversement précoce pour pousser Garcia à fond 12 tours avant de manquer les tableaux de bord. À 5 pieds 11 pouces, Pâques a continué à montrer la combinaison de taille, les compétences et l'athlétisme qui ont fait de lui une perspective très appréciée après une carrière amateur qui a présenté une place en tant que remplaçant sur le 2012 U.S.. équipe olympique.
“Je voulais combattre Barthelemy depuis qu'il avait le titre des poids légers et l'a quitté, et maintenant j'ai la chance,” dit Pâques. “Il a un style maladroit et je suis partant pour ce défi. J'arrive toujours en tant que combattant plus grand avec un avantage de portée et je vais l'utiliser pour que ce combat se déroule comme je le souhaite. C'est un ancien champion du monde et il vient le faire comme moi.”
Un amateur cubain décoré qui est issu d'une famille de boxeurs qui comprend son frère aîné, Médaillé d'or olympique Yan, et petit frère, Leduan poids plume invaincu, Rances Barthelemy (27-1, 14 KOs) reviendra en poids léger pour affronter l'un des meilleurs combattants de la division. Le joueur de 32 ans s'entraîne maintenant à Las Vegas et a déjà capturé une ceinture de 135 livres en battant Denis Shafikov en décembre 2015.
Barthelemy a remporté un championnat de 130 livres en battant Argenis Mendez en 2014 et a tenté de devenir le premier champion cubain en trois divisions lorsqu'il est passé à 140 livres pour son premier combat contre Relikh, un éliminateur de titre qu'il a remporté par décision. Après avoir abandonné le match revanche à Relikh dans un combat pour le titre vacant sur SHOWTIME, Barthelemy est revenu sur le ring en décembre et a arrêté Robert Frankel.
“J'attends avec impatience un grand combat contre Robert Easter Jr,” Saïd Barthélemy. “Je sais que j'ai ce qu'il faut pour le battre et remporter un autre titre et devenir trois fois champion du monde. Mes meilleures performances sont venues à 135 livres. Nous sommes tous les deux d'anciens champions du monde qui ont faim et nous offrirons aux fans une soirée sensationnelle de boxe. Je n’ai jamais perdu en poids léger et cela continuera en avril 27. Ne manquez pas ce combat sur SHOWTIME. C'est maintenant ou jamais!”
Originaire d'Ukraine, mais maintenant se battre hors de Los Angeles, Postol (30-2, 12 KOs) a déjà remporté un titre mondial de 140 livres en éliminant Lucas Matthysse en 2015. Le joueur de 35 ans a perdu le titre lors d'une confrontation à l'unification avec Terence Crawford en 2016 avant de rebondir en battant Jamshidbek Najmiddinov alors invaincu. En juin dernier, il a abandonné la décision de l'invaincu Josh Taylor et plus récemment, il a battu Siar Ozgul en novembre..
Mimoune, 31 ans (21-2, 2 KOs) a combattu professionnellement depuis 2010 et en sera à sa U.S. débuts contre Postol en avril 27. Representing Haute-Garonne, France, Il est invaincu dans son dernier 10 combats datant 2014. Ses cinq dernières victoires sont survenues dans des décisions en 12 tours, dont deux l'an dernier contre Emiliano Dominguez alors invaincu et plus récemment contre Franck Petitjean.
Ajagba du Nigéria (9-0, 8 KOs) a gagné en notoriété en août dernier 24 quand son adversaire, Curtis Harper, est sorti du ring après avoir touché des gants pour commencer le premier tour. Le jeune homme de 24 ans, 2016 L'olympien nigérian a remporté le combat sans lancer de coup de poing alors que Harper était disqualifié. Dans son dernier combat Ajagba, qui habite à Stafford, Texas et s'entraîne avec Ronnie Shields, a vaincu sa compétition la plus difficile à ce jour en arrêtant le prétendant de longue date Amir Mansour après deux manches.
Combats de Munich, Allemagne, Wallisch (19-1, 12 KOs) a remporté son premier 19 pro se bat après être devenu pro 2010, y compris une performance allemande gagnante du titre en 2013 contre Alexander Kahl. Le joueur de 33 ans s'est battu trois fois l'année dernière, remportant deux victoires à élimination directe avant de perdre contre Christian Hammer en décembre.
