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Former two-division champion Rances “Kid Blast” Barthelemy (27-1, 14 KOs) returns to the ring Saturday, April 27, 2019 live on Showtime from The Chelsea located inside The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas.
Barthelemy will face his toughest test to date in former champion Robert Easter Jr. (21-1, 14 KOs) and the winner takes home the vacant WBA Lightweight title.
The former Cuban junior national champion knows all too well about uphill battles. Having been a standout amateur before defecting from Cuba, Barthelemy left everything he knew to chase a dream of becoming a world champion boxer.
Not only did Barthelemy win a world title at Super Featherweight, but he also won a strap at Lightweight. Not one to rest on his laurels, Barthelemy upped the stakes and chased what no other Cuban fighter has ever achieved, the third title in a third weight class.
While his attempt fell short in a loss to Kiryl Relikh, it was only a minor setback in the eyes of Kid Blast and looks to restart his journey for a title in a third weight class.
But Barthelemy understands Easter will do whatever it takes to derail his plans.
“This fight couldn’t have come at a better time,” said Barthelemy in a recent interview with Round By Round Boxing. “He’s a great fighter and the fight should be very competitive. We both need a big win right now.”
Robert Easter was last seen in the ring taking on Mikey Garcia in July on 2018 where he lost his IBF Lightweight title in a mostly one-sided affair.
Barthelemy most recently made quick work of Robert Frankel, earning a third-round TKO win in his comeback fight after his first loss. Barthelemy credits being refocused in the ring to his brothers and trainer, former champion Joel Casamayor.
“This camp is very different compared to my past,” said Barthelemy. “Joel and my brothers have put me in peak physical form and I feel the difference.”
Barthelemy’s preparation for this camp has included bringing in young talent to do the best they can to emulate the style and length of Robert Easter. Barthelemy claims he’s kept a close eye on the Ohio native and knows his weaknesses.
“When you’ve been fighting as long as I have, you’ve basically seen everything so nothing of Easter surprises me,” said Barthelemy. “I have a lot of respect for him but I know areas I can take advantage of in the fight.”
Barthelemy vs. Easter was a fight that was almost made in the past, but for whatever reason it fell through. But now years later, both fighters have tasted what it’s like to be on top and are yearning to be there again.
Assuming that Barthelemy secures the title win over Easter, the feat of conquering a third weight class is still the ultimate goal that continues to loom in the mind Barthelemy.
