Rances Barthelemy – Lanky Cuban, stands 5’11” tall, will immediately remind many of Diego Corrales with his tenacity and offense-first style. The 25-year-old grew up in a boxing family, his older brother, Yan, won an Olympic gold medal and younger brother Leduan is an undefeated prospect. A hyperactive child in his pre-teens, Rances focused that energy into boxing through the famed Cuban boxing system. Engaged in nearly 200 amateur bouts (a Cuban Junior National champion) and was thought to have a chance at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Barthelemy saw an opportunity to defect instead, forgoing the Olympic opportunity for freedom. Like many Cubans, moved to Miami, receiving pro guidance from trainer Orlando Cuellar (known for his work with Glen Johnson), but recently moved to equally respected Miguel Diaz. Like other recent Cuban prospects, has not disappointed in the gym, understanding its role in a professional’s career. “The person who works the hardest in the gym always gets the victory on fight night. I have dedicated myself to this and live a Spartan and athlete’s lifestyle.” Averages five fights a year and looked good dropping 21-9 Alejandro Barrera (entered on a five-fight losing streak) three times for a second round stoppage in his last fight. Went eight rounds once with rugged trial horse Gerardo Robles, looking a bit frustrated when his power failed to register a stoppage. A big puncher, stopping 11 of 14 foes, gaining “Kid Blast” nickname, but it looks more a result of matchmaking to date than pure power. Barthelemy describes himself as, “I am a good athlete and bring outstanding condition, endurance, speed and power with me into each contest. I can box well from the outside and bang inside as the fight may dictate.” Presses advantages and is relentless trying to force opponents to engage. Jab is good but underused and Barthelemy throws a lead left hook from a low trajectory that could be exploited by speedier foes. Falls forward at times because he overcommits to power punches and, given amateur pedigree, Barthelemy punches wide. That could be because Barthelemy is chasing opponents, rarely landing blows at full extension. On defense, holds hands high when close, keeping chin tucked while advancing in small steps, sporting decent head movement and upper body agility to avoid punches. This Barthelemy has question marks and tonight’s fight will tell if and where he rates among recent young Cuban imports.
Hylon Williams – A 2008 Olympic alternate, dutifully stating he was robbed against Raynell Williams, Houstonian was an excellent amateur, finishing with a 145-20 record. A National Golden Gloves and PAL champion, Williams won numerous national titles at the junior level and represented America at international tourneys, thanks to his intuitive style and scintillating hand speed. Involved in boxing since age eight, his father was a boxer and aids Hylon’s training. Williams turned pro at age 18, signing with Golden Boy Promotions. Has since split GBP and, given today’s opponent, it is ironic that Williams is managed by famed Cuban-American promoter Luis DeCubas and trained by former Cuban amateur great Ramon Garbey. Based in Las Vegas, Williams notched 15 wins and raised eyebrows in sparring sessions with champions Zab Judah, Celestino Caballero, Juan Diaz and Robert Guerrero. Kayo ratio of 20% does not suggest power but Williams has pop in his punches, intimidating foes with a high connect ratio vice power. A smart tactician (and college student), Williams seldom looks off balance and remains in position to throw quick counterpunches before moving to a new position to snipe from. Takes the fight to foes despite obvious counterpunching ability, overwhelming them with volume and variety of punches. Not a big lightweight, lacking pectoral definition (but with well-rounded shoulders), but athleticism and natural strength allow him to work well on the inside. Speed is key with Williams; like Pernell Whitaker, he can beat opponents to the point of engagement with his feet or fists. Has a classic stance, enabling fluid combinations or quick retreats to set up room for foes to walk into traps. Does not neglect body punching, sometimes working bottom-to-top combinations, leading with a left to the ribs. Jab is underutilized but because of Williams’ accuracy, he has not needed to fall back upon it yet as amateur pedigree indicates he can. Seems focused, “There will always be something crowd-pleasing about what I do in the ring. I plan on going from a great amateur to a legend in the pros. I don’t just want to be a good professional; I want to go down in history with the Sugar Ray Leonards and Floyd Mayweathers.” Sat out all of 2010 because of managerial problems but returned with three fights in 2011. Weak level of opposition has allowed Williams to do whatever he wants but his amateur pedigree and Vegas gym work suggests he is ready for this proper test.
Verdict – If this were a ten-round fight, I would chose Williams without hesitation but eight rounds is more difficult for a Williams needing time to adjust to five-inch height and reach disadvantages. Given those advantages and Barthelemy’s aggression, I think the Cuban wins the first two rounds. Williams then finds his range and adjusts to the trajectory of Barthelemy’s punches, landing left hand counters as the Cuban leads with a looping left. Barthelemy is the physically larger man but Williams seems more stout and the stronger on film. This allows Williams to exert himself in the later rounds and push back Barthelemy if necessary. The low left hook Barthelemy leads with will get him in trouble with a speedster like Williams and cause one or two knockdowns if the latter’s chin is not top-notch. Williams’ feet tie up Barthelemy from the third round on and the Texan’s accurate fists should seal a win in the late rounds.
Edison Miranda – Colombian has the most derogatory mouth this side of Ricardo Mayorga and David Haye. A sampling of Miranda for tonight’s fight: “If [Chilemba] could feel what I am feeling, he would run away like [original opponent Yordanis] Despaigne did.” On game planning: “Everyone has a game plan until they get hit. It’s one thing to study video but then that leather hits your face and your plan goes out the window and survival mode kicks in. Before you know it, you get hit again and you’re lying on the canvas. What happened to your game plan?” That brashness works, as Miranda has gotten opportunities despite lacking quality wins. Miranda has not defeated a top-notch opponent since Allan Green in 2007 and has been knocked out in three of six losses to championship-quality opposition. A writer cannot compose a sketch of Miranda without using the word power. Unfortunately for Miranda, he believes those press clippings and guns for kayos at the cost of his work rate. Boxed since age 15, reportedly winning over 125 amateur bouts, racking up four national titles before faltering in regional Olympic qualifying. Many say Miranda has the ability to vary his style but is dedicated in the gym to maximizing his brute strength. Given an already dented chin, Miranda’s team should work more on footwork and defense. Yes, Miranda does not appear on HBO and Showtime to show off his footwork, proving it with the damage he inflicts every time an opponent is hit and driven backward. Miranda is the only man to stop former middleweight champion Howard Eastman and he bludgeoned another middleweight champion Arthur Abraham in a classic slugfest Miranda lost by close decision. However, Miranda has regressed in terms of volume punching ever since. Defense is nearly nonexistent though Miranda puts up his gloves to block punches early in fights. Was frustrated by Andre Ward’s speed, the only fight where Miranda shut down, mentally giving in to defeat. Disqualified on low blows in his only fight against quality 175-pounder Yordanis Despaigne but Miranda is confident at the weight. “I can finally work hard on boxing during my training camp and not have to worry about losing weight. Now, I don’t have to worry about losing muscle to make weight.” For Miranda to win, he will need a return to the accuracy he showed at middleweight and have the confidence to be less reliant on his biggest weapon...power.
Isaac Chilemba – Before beating prospect Maxim Vlasov on “FNF” last year, the Malawian was unknown outside Africa despite repelling an impressive list of boxers (since 2008) whose records totaled 133-9-1. A star in his homeland, Chilemba gained a substantial following in South Africa, fighting there exclusively. Could not find information on Chilemba’s amateur résumé but fluid style and comfort level in the ring suggests many unpaid bouts. This is Chilemba’s third fight outside Africa, recently signing with Lou DiBella and hiring Dan Birmingham (who guided Winky Wright and Jeff Lacy to world titles) as his American trainer. A smart boxer with a snapping jab, Chilemba prefers opponents to lead in order to counter with quick and clever punches. A mobile target, Chilemba uses his feet to create space, plant and rip off a combination before retreating and repeating the process. Has a long athletic body (6’1” tall), possessed of quality hand speed and reflexes that make Chilemba a multi-dimensional threat. Sports long arms and uses them cleverly to keep foes at a distance or uncoils them as unexpected uppercuts on the inside. Drew with top 10-rated Thomas Oosthuizen, his toughest foe, though many reports gave Chilemba the edge in an intense clash. Overcame a cut on his eye against Oosthuizen, suffered in the sixth round, and rallied late to sweep the championship rounds. As a late substitute, dropped to the 168-pound limit and outboxed undefeated power-punching Australian prospect Michael Bolling. Chilemba is certainly battle-tested, going 12 rounds six times and has not lost to the undefeated foes he stared down. Chilemba is always looking for an opening for his big right hand, which should not be a problem with an aggressive Miranda on the other end. I like that Chilemba avenged his only loss, showing adaptability by fighting his conqueror four months later and winning a wide decision. Showed grit and heart overcoming two eighth round knockdowns, reportedly suffering from jetlag, against Maxim Vlasov to earn a decision win in last ESPN2 appearance. Again, a testament to his stamina and late round physicality. Chilemba moved his camp to America five weeks ago to ensure optimal physical fitness. Seemed mentally prepared in an interview with writer Daxx Kahn, “After everything I have seen, there is nothing that disturbs me. I will outwork and I will outpunch [Miranda] for the victory. I’m coming to make a statement come fight night. Make no mistake about it; I’m gunning for a knockout.”
Verdict – Quality boxing defeats great slugging and that will be the case in this fight. A look at Miranda’s record shows he destroys B-level foes, so the question is, is Chilemba an A or B+ fighter? Miranda might take the first two rounds on activity and aggression but Chilemba times and counters Miranda effectively from the third round on. That and the natural size advantage for Chilemba will tell in the last three rounds which Chilemba sweeps to win a wide decision. Look for Chilemba to find his rhythm and target as the rounds ratchet up, outboxing Miranda from the outside and picking apart his slower foe. I can even see a late-round stoppage for Chilemba if he targets Miranda’s body early. Either way, Chilemba wins.
Prediction record for 2012: 75% (6-2)
Prediction record in 2011: 88% (138-19)
Prediction record in 2010: 85% (218-40)
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