At the Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas and a main event ShowTime triple header, Robert Easter Jr. will slug it out with Rances Barthelemy for the vacant WBA and IBO lightweight belts on 27th April.
Both boxers have held the IBF lightweight title and will face each other in this clash to determine who is superior.
Barthelemy won the IBF lightweight vacant title in 2015 against Denis Shafikov, had a very successful defence with Mickey Bey and just after three (3) days vacated the title to move up to 140lbs division. Subsequently he won two (2) out of three (3) fight losing a vacant WBA super lightweight title to Kiryl Relikh.
Barthelemy 32, (27-1, 14KO) believes he is at his best fighting at 135 pounds and cannot see himself losing on April 27.
“I’m looking forward to a great fight against Robert Easter Jr.,” said Barthelemy. “I know I have what it takes to beat him and capture another world title. My best performances have come at 135 pounds. Both of us are former world champions who are hungry and will give the fans a sensational night of boxing. I’ve never lost at lightweight and that will continue on April 27.”
“I’ve wanted to fight Barthelemy since he had the IBF lightweight title and vacated it and now I have the chance to fight him,” said Easter.
Easter Jr. won the vacant IBF lightweight title on a controversial split decision against Richard Commey, had victories over Ruiz Cruz, Denis Shafikov and Javier Fortuna but lost to Mickey Garcia in a unification bout unanimously in July 2018.
“He has an awkward style and I’m up for that challenge. I am still coming in as the taller fighter with a reach advantage and I’ll use it to make this fight go how I want it. He is a former world champion and he is coming to bring it just like I am.” Easter Jr added.
Easter Jr. 28, (21-1, 14KO) believes that a win over Barthelemy will place him right among the elite in the lightweight division. Whether Easter Jr will relish a unification with Mickey Garcia again or Richard Commey if he becomes the champion, is an unanswered question. The journey of the battle of former champions of same division to annex both WBA and IBO is set to come off this April 27 at the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas promoted by TGB and Mayweather Promotions.