Rances Barthelemy: I Want Mikey Garcia in My Next Fight

Photo courtesy of Sean Michael Ham / Premier Boxing Champions

Boxing Scene - By Boxing Clever

On March 10 at the Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio, two-division champion Rances Barthelemy (26-0, 13 KOs) will look to become the first Cuban boxer to ever win world titles in three different weight classes when he faces Kirly Relikh (21-2, 9 KOs) in a rematch.

Barthelemy won a controversial decision over Relikh last May.

This time around, the Showtime televised fight will have the vacant WBA super lightweight title will be at stake.

In the main event of that card, Mikey Garcia (37-0, 30 KOs) will attempt to make history by capturing a world title in a fourth weight class when he challenges IBF junior welterweight champion Sergey Lipinets (13-0, 10 KOs), who is making his first title defense.

Barthelemy wants to unify with Garcia next - provided that both of them win that night.

"A fight with Mikey Garcia is something I want. I'm completely focused on this fight against Relikh and making history, but I would be prepared to fight Mikey Garcia soon," Barthelemy said.

Barthelemy promises to make things right in the upcoming rematch, after getting dropped and looking very flat in the first encounter.

According to the Cuban boxer, his boxer felt weak in the contest and there wasn't a lot of energy in his legs for the full twelve rounds.
 
"I'm going to change a lot heading into the rematch. Last May I wasn't myself. I didn't feel like I had my legs coming into the fight and I wasn't able to perform how I usually do. This time my conditioning and nutrition is much improved. I'm going to use my legs and use my jab and put on a boxing clinic," Barthelemy said.
 
"There was nothing surprising about Relikh in the first fight. We knew he'd have power, but unfortunately I had to change my game plan when my body wasn't cooperating. I traded shots and fought his fight. I'm going to stick to my plan this time. Throughout my career I haven't paid enough attention to nutrition. It made my performances inconsistent. Bob Santos has come in and completely changed that. You'll see my conditioning on fight night is the best it's ever been."