Rances Barthelemy is an undefeated fighter with a record of (23-0-0 13kos). Who takes on Denis Shafikov in the main event of a PBC on Spike card on December 18th for the IBF lightweight title. He sat down with BTG to talk before his upcoming bout.
BTG: With this being one of the last big cards of the year what would you like to show?
RB: I want to show how much better I’ve gotten each day working with Ismael Salas I feel like we’ve really meshed well and I’m anxious to see the result of all the hard work we’ve put in the gym.
BTG: What do you see in Denis Shafikov in areas in which he can give you problems and where you can take advantage?
RB: I’m a fighter that can go with any style or rhythm of a fight and I always prepare my best. What I’ve seen from my rival is that he’s a shorter fighter and he likes to pressure and fight at a short distance, but we’ve prepared really well and we have a great strategy to come out on the 18th with a victory.
BTG: Seeing as some other Cuban fighters seem to like to stick and move and your style differs from that. Do you prefer to fight as opposed to the stick and move?
I like to be ready for everything, but I love to fight because I have power in both hands. Once I put my hands on my rival they note and if they come in wrong it can end earlier.
BTG: Do you have plans if you win to move up or have a fighter you would like to meet?
RB: Yeah, the fight with DeMarco everyone knows was at 140, I feel good at that weight and my plan for next year is to move up to the 140 pound division.
BTG: Will you have a fight to get accustomed to the weight or will you take on a top fighter at the division?
RB: No, I should fight someone with experience a top fighter, I’ve been a world champion and God willing on the 18th I will again. It depends on what my manager and promoter say, but I know in my mind and body thought I am ready for a big fight.
BTG: Following this fight do you know when you would be looking to get back in the ring or will you take a vacation and rest?
RB: I’ve trained a lot for this fight and I feel that I wanna rest and take a little break following this fight, I believe that by April or May I’ll be back in the ring.
BTG: Being a Boxer do you have a love for the sport as well as being a fan?
RB: I’m training with the great teacher Ismael Salas and with the time I’ve been with him he’s reignited my passion that I had lost a bit for boxing. In honesty I feel a lot better in the gym then in my own house.
BTG: Do you watch other boxers and take a little from them?
RB: I’m a boxer who learns from everyone. You know even from the little kid that trains at my gym. I believe that any Boxer no matter what has something good and you could learn from it. I don’t look at the bad in any fighter, I look at the good they do and try and incorporate it into my style.
Thanks to Rances Barthelemy for taking time out of his schedule to talk to Behind the Gloves’ Michael Rueda (@wolf2988).
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