Review by AllTheBestFights.com: 2015-12-18, great performance by both boxers: Rances Barthelemy vs Denis Shafikov gets three stars.The former Ibf super-Fw champion Rances Barthelemy entered this fight with a perfect record of 23-0-0 (13 knockouts) and he is ranked as the No.5 super lightweight in the world (currently the #1 in this division is Terence Crawford). He has fought twice in 2015 winning over Angino Perez (=Barthelemy vs Perez) and Antonio DeMarco (=Barthelemy vs DeMarco).
His opponent, Denis Shafikov, has an official boxing record of 36-1-1 (19 knockouts) and he entered as the No.3 lightweight. He suffered his only loss last year when he faced Miguel Vazquez, after this bout he has won three consecutive fights beating Roy Mukhlis in his last one (=Shafikov vs Mukhlis). Barthelemy vs Shafikov is valid for the vacant IBF World lightweight title. Watch the video and rate this fight!
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Date: 2015-12-18
Where: Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Division: lightweight (135 lbs, 61.2 kg)
Title: vacant IBF World lightweight title
Barthelemy’s previous fight: Rances Barthelemy vs Antonio DeMarco
Shafikov’s previous fight: Denis Shafikov vs Roy Mukhlis
Barthelemy’s next fight: Rances Barthelemy vs Mickey Bey
Shafikov’s next fight: Denis Shafikov vs Jamel Herring
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Official video:
A very good fight that deserves no less than 3 starts and may be 4. It was a very close one till round 9th with the Russian being the full-time aggressor and winning in my opinion . The Cuban up to this round was doing the wrong fight since he didn’t use at all his outrageous reach advantage. May be because bad coaching or lack of vision. He was only good changing his stance which he did immediately after that the Russian connected a good punch. Rances did the right fight from round 10 till the end. However, trying to mimic Sergio Martinez’s style with no much success. Rances didn’t impressed me at all since was very close to lose the fight. The Russian for being so short did a great fight. The judges cards far from reality. The judge that saw the fight 119-109 should be immediately removed from his position since he/she is useless.
About the reach advantage Barthelemy had, it’s one thing to have long arms, but if after throwing an average of 70 shots per round, your opponent is still able to get close to you anyway, there might be a another problem. If a fighter doesn’t have enough power, or his opponent has a solid chin he might be willing to take a few of those jabs to get closer and some powershots. Also, usually the shorter guy is the fastest, so he might move his feet quicker and be able to step in the blink of an eye.
Not the best quality but full:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW_Ru2aixFY
Almost!… rd1’s missing.