Photos: Robert Easter, Rances Barthelemy Ends in Draw

The WBA, IBO lightweight title bout between Robert Easter Jr and Rances Barthelemy ended in a split draw on Saturday. (photos by Esther Lin, Ryan Hafey).

Judge Tim Cheatham scored the 12-round fight 115-113 in favour of Easter, Eric Cheek had it 115-113 for Barthelemy and Glenn Trowbridge ranked the clash even at 114-114.

It was a dull affair in Las Vegas, where the WBA belt remains vacant after neither fighter won the main event.

"I think it was close but I felt that I edged it out toward the end," American Easter (21-1-1, 14 KO) said afterwards.

"I applied the pressure. The judges seen it a different way. Rances Barthelemy is a crafty fighter, a tricky fighter. He stayed away from my power, which is smart."

Cuban Barthelemy (27-1-1, 14 KO) added through a translator: "We thought he was going to fight, he didn't fight. He didn't attack in this fight. Maybe he threw them [punches] at the air."