Comments Thread For: Barthelemy Decisions Shafikov, Wins IBF World Title

[CubanGuyNYC]

... That's the "Cuban style": minimalist at the extreme... We don't enjoy it much but they never change -- look at Rigo and Lara...

You didn't watch the bout. Barthélemy doesn't fight at all like those two. He likes to mix it up. For the first 8 rounds, Rances threw his height and reach advantage to the wind and fought in a phone booth with the much shorter man. The activity rate for both was very high. It wasn't until the last few rounds that Bart changed his approach and started boxing from the outside. That's when he really started pulling away on the cards. Good fight.

[MDPopescu]

5'10 is toó big for 135 pounds, period.

... Actually he is 5' 11" / 180cm and in reach he's 73" / 185cm... he may easily fight at the WW, JrMW or even MW (with some additional body building)...

[CubanGuyNYC]

... Actually he is 5' 11" / 180cm and in reach he's 73" / 185cm... he may easily fight at the WW, JrMW or even MW (with some additional body building)...

Last night they listed Barthélemy at 5'10". I don't know which is accurate.

[MDPopescu]

You didn't watch the bout. Barthélemy doesn't fight at all like those two. He likes to mix it up. For the first 8 rounds, Rances threw his height and reach advantage to the wind and fought in a phone booth with the much shorter man. The activity rate for both was very high. It wasn't until the last few rounds that Bart changed his approach and started boxing from the outside. That's when he really started pulling away on the cards. Good fight.

I didn't watch the fight live, true... But I managed to watch some on the Youtube -- Barthélemy did mix it up... But the basics of the "Cuban minimalism" were still there, even if he fought head-to-head... ... The guy is pleasure to watch fighting!

[CubanGuyNYC]

I didn't watch the fight live, true... But I managed to watch some on the Youtube -- Barthélemy did mix it up... But the basics of the "Cuban minimalism" were still there, even if he fought head-to-head... ... The guy is pleasure to watch fighting!

I like him. He's a little awkward looking; but he comes to fight, has skills and carries some pop. Why he and his corner (I'm assuming they consented) chose to fight in a phone booth for 8 rounds, having such an reach advantage, is anyone's guess.

[MDPopescu]

I like him. He's a little awkward looking; but he comes to fight, has skills and carries some pop. Why he and his corner (I'm assuming they consented) chose to fight in a phone booth for 8 rounds, having such an reach advantage, is anyone's guess.

Barthélemy was controlling the smaller Shafikov easily... My guess is that he (and his team) are just experiencing in order to be able to cope with more aggressive fighters and still provide show (no like Rigo or Lara)...

I would wish to watch Barthélemy vs the likes of Broner and even Figueroa...

[Humean]

Pretty good fight, I had it 115-113, Barthelemy certainly won it. I thought Shafikov could take this by just wearing down Barthelemy with his activity but Barthelemy actually matched him on the inside and showed tremendous stamina himself. Barthelemy might get taken out by a big puncher but at the moment the lightweight division is wide open, it's not at all clear who is number one in the division.

[CubanGuyNYC]

Barthélemy was controlling the smaller Shafikov easily... My guess is that he (and his team) are just experiencing in order to be able to cope with more aggressive fighters and still provide show (no like Rigo or Lara)...

I would wish to watch Barthélemy vs the likes of Broner and even Figueroa...

Bart took control in the 8th, then started boxing from the outside in the 9th or 10th. Before then, it was anybody's fight. In fact, Shafikov was probably winning. Rances is a warrior. He just enjoys the battle. It'll get him in trouble some day. But it's definitely fun to watch.

[CubanGuyNYC]

Pretty good fight, I had it 115-113, Barthelemy certainly won it. I thought Shafikov could take this by just wearing down Barthelemy with his activity but Barthelemy actually matched him on the inside and showed tremendous stamina himself. Barthelemy might get taken out by a big puncher but at the moment the lightweight division is wide open, it's not at all clear who is number one in the division.

You read my mind. With Bart's inclination to fight, he might get starched by a heavy hitter. But, who knows? He's got a lot of heart. He's a tough out for anyone.

[tiliheels]

I've seen Rances fight live three times. He's a warrior. Likes to mix it up. Maybe too much sometimes. He's not crazy talented like Gamboa and Rigo, but he's got just enough. He's gone far. I hope he goes farther.

i think he is crazy talented just like a rigo..but like u said he likes to go at it..his hands are so fast and his accuracy is real..when his feet get going like they were in teh championship round i go in aw..shaf is very fast on his feet and rances was making him look ignorant and running him into bombs..and he was doing this while have to punch downward all night..that should have screwed with his accuracy..it didnt.