Barthelemy claims Vacant IBF Crown

Rances “Kid Blast” Barthelemy, 24-0-(13), claimed the vacant IBF lightweight title at the Pearl at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas,Nevada on Friday night by out-pointing Denis Shafikov, 36-2-1-(19), over 12 rounds.

Shafikov made the better start by taking the fight to Barthelemy but a nasty cut over his right eye hampered his progress as Barthelemy rallied late on to nick a 119-109 116-112 and 116-112 unanimous decision on the scorecards.

On the same card the IBF cruiserweight eliminator between IBF #3 Murat “Iron” Gassiev, 22-0-(16), and Isiah Thomas, 15-0-(6), was judged a no contest after Thomas was unable to continue due to getting hit after the bell

A crushing right hand as the bell rang to end round three left Thomas on unsteady legs walking back to his corner, prompting referee Jay Nady to stop the fight.

In other action another clash of unbeaten junior middleweight saw Eric Walker, 12-0-(6), out-point Chris “Young King” Pearson, 13-1-(10), over eight rounds. Walker was far too busy any aggressive for Pearson as the 79-71, 80-72 and 78-74 scores reflected.

In a lightweight bout Gervonta “The One” Davis, 14-0-(13), scored a ninth round knockout win over Luis Sanchez, 17-5-1-(5). Sanchez was competitive and resilient early on but Davis decked him in round eight before scoring a tko win after 2:05 of the ninth round.

In a junior middleweight bout former IBF champion Ishe “Sugar Shay” Smith, 28-8-(12), completely controlled Tommy “The Razor” Rainone, 24-7-1-(5),by winning every round on all three judges scorecards over 10 rounds.

Another former IBF champion, Mickey Bey, 22-1-1-(10), scored a 10 round unanimous decision over the previously unbeaten Naim Nelson , 12-1-(1). The scores were 100-90 twice and 99-91.

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December 18, 2015