Premier Boxing Champions 2015: Fight Card and TV Schedule for December 18
Premier Boxing Champions is often criticized for delivering weak matchups to fight fans. While there's some validity to that, Friday night's card from the Pearl at the Palms Casino in Las Vegas shouldn't be dismissed.
Unbeaten and exciting Cuban star Rances "Kid Blast" Barthelemy (23-0, 13 KOs) will face Denis Shafikov (36-1-1, 19 KOs) for the vacant IBF World Lightweight Championship. Both men are battle-tested, legitimate contenders.
The cofeatured bout will see two undefeated cruiserweights clash. Detroit native Isiah Thomas (15-0, six KOs) and Russian contender Murat "Iron" Gassiev (22-0, 16 KOs) will throw hands in a measuring-stick bout.
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This matchup symbolizes a significant step up in competition for both men.
When: Friday, December 18, at 9 p.m. ET
Where: The Pearl, Palms Casino in Las Vegas
TV: Spike
Styles Make Fights
Barthelemy has blasted through every opponent he's faced as a professional, with his most recent win being a unanimous decision against Antonio DeMarco in June. Barthelemy dropped the rugged DeMarco once in the fourth round en route to a dominant win.
In an interview with Michael Rueda of Behind the Gloves, Barthelemy talked about his preparation for and knowledge of Shafikov:
"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.
"
Barthelemy is right in his assessment of Shafikov. The 30-year-old Russian does love to come forward and to apply pressure. He could find that to be a difficult strategy to employ against Barthelemy. The 29-year-old from Arroyo, Naranjo, will enjoy a six-inch height and 4.5-inch reach advantage.
If he can establish his jab early, it could be a long night for Shafikov.
On the other hand, no opponent has been able to consistently work Barthelemy's body. If Shafikov can slip the jab and bang away to the body, he could wear down Barthelemy. It'll be great to watch how this one unfolds.
Testing, Testing, 1, 2
While Thomas and Gassiev have unblemished records, the competition the two cruiserweights have faced has left something to be desired. Thomas is the third undefeated opponent for Gassiev, but the man named after the Detroit Pistons' great is the most experienced unbeaten fighter with whom the Russian will share the ring.
Gassiev is just the second undefeated fighter Thomas will go against. The first was his last opponent, Jordan Shimmel, in July. Thomas picked up the USBA cruiserweight title with a unanimous-decision victory over Shimmel at the same venue Friday's fights will take place. Shimmel was 19-0 going into the fight, thus it was easily Thomas' biggest victory.
Gassiev is coming off a knockout win over lightly regarded Rodney Moore in June. Needless to say, the winner of Friday's fight will be moving toward a higher standing in the cruiserweight division.
BoxRec lists Grassiev as the No. 19-ranked fighter in his weight class, while Johnson is 46th. The serious journey toward a top-10 ranking could begin in this fight for the winner.
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