Rances Barthelemy vs. Mickey Bey
Liam Brady, Graphic Designer/Staff Writer
I believe Rances Barthelemy will be too elusive, too accurate, and too quick for Mickey Bey.
I see a repeated dominance every round, en route to a wide unanimous decision victory for Barthelemy.
Prediction: Barthelemy
Jack O’Connell, Staff Writer
More of a showcase fight than a title match, Rances Barthelemy is the best lightweight in the division in my eyes. In his last bout, he fought Denis Shafikov at his own game, winning anyway to take the vacant IBF belt. The Cuban amateur standout is incredibly skilled, a versatile fighter that excels at distance, but isn’t afraid to throw down.
Mickey Bey is…I don’t know how to really classify him. Sure, he’s a former world champion, but via terrible, terrible robbery. Then he didn’t even defend the belt, choosing to vacate it, take a year off, and now he’s back to fight for it again.
What does Bey have that Barthelemy doesn’t? Bey is fast, but not as fast as Barthelemy. He’s not a big puncher. His defense is nothing special; he’s been knocked down a couple times before, even knocked out by John Molina. So what does Bey have? What is that one variable that will give him a slight edge?
Nothing. He’s simply not as good as Barthelemy, athletically and talent wise. Barthelemy should make mincemeat of Bey. Bey will take a round or two based solely on activity, but Barthelemy will blast Bey out by the mid rounds. Barthelemy by mid round TKO.
Prediction: Barthelemy
Shelbi Keyes, Staff Writer
This Friday night on Spike, Premier Boxing Champions is back with what’s expected to be a very competitive world title fight in the lightweight division. Lightweight titleholder Rances Barthelemy (24-0, 13 KOs) will make his first defense against former titleholder Mickey Bey (22-1- 1, 10 KOs).
This fight is huge for Bey because it is an opportunity for him to reclaim the belt that he never lost in the ring. Barthelemy on the other hand could care less about how Bey lost the belt, explaining that it is now his and he has plans to keep it that way.
I am anticipating a close fight between Barthelemy and Bey, both boxers had impressive amateur careers and have similar skill sets. When it comes to experience, since turning pro in 2009, Barthelemy has fought in 123 rounds, while Bey has gone 138 rounds since turning pro in 2005.
Barthelemy is an undefeated fighter, but Bey’s one and only loss came at the hands of John Molina–where he was stopped in the 10th and final round after being ahead on the scorecards.
This is a tough fight to predict with both fighters being highly skilled and both ready to make a statement Friday night. While on paper it seems that Barthelemy has the advantage in age, height, reach and power–Bey has expressed how hungry and motivated he is to reclaim the belt.
This is a true toss-up and I am expecting an extremely close fight. I am predicting Bey will walk the walk and reclaim the belt Friday night.
Prediction: Bey
Brandon Glass, Staff Writer
Rances Barthelemy and Mickey Bey are both skilled. I think this is a great matchup from a technical standpoint.
The problem for Bey is that Barthelemy has all the advantages here. While Bey is very athletic with great hand speed and a decent punch; Barthelemy has advantages in power, age, reach and opposition–although Miguel Vazquez, whom Bey beat for this same title, has beaten all of the most notable fighters on Barthelemy’s resume.
Also, Bey has had only one fight (last December) since winning the belt Barthelemy currently holds back in 2014. The ring rust and the hand injury that caused the layoff could cause some issues for Bey.
While I think the fight will be competitive and both guys will have their moments, I think Barthelemy keeps rolling into this year with the success he had last year. I think Barthelemy makes it difficult for Bey to close in on a range that Bey is comfortable with. Barthelemy retains his title by unanimous decision.
Prediction: Barthelemy
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
On Friday night, Mickey Bey will be looking to reclaim the IBF title he lost outside of the ring against Rances Barthelemy. Barthelemy won that vacant title in a match against Denis Shafikov and he’ll be defending it for the first time.
Barthelemy is tall and crafty as hell, and unlike other Cuban school disciple’s, he doesn’t mind getting on the inside and mixing it up.
Bey will have to overcome a four-inch reach and two-inch height disadvantage, but I’m thinking Barthelemy won’t strictly stick to pawing with the jab on the outside and Bey may have some good moments working in close quarters.
If Barthelemy is feeling frisky, we’ll see him switch stances early on and fire off combinations with his hands held low.
I’m interested to see if Barthelemy can flash some of the power he showed earlier in his career in the lower weight divisions, but either way he should expect a tough fight from Bey who assumes the Cuban is simply keeping his belt warm.
I’ll take Barthelemy by comfortable decision in a decent scrap.
Prediction: Barthelemy
