Barthelemy Calling out Champion Mendez and All Other Top Super Featherweights

Undefeated super featherweight Rances “Kid Blast” Barthelemy (19-0, 12 KOs) scored a second round KO over Fahsai Sakkreerin (39-4-1, 21 KOs) in an IBF eliminator for the #1 ranking on Friday night at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A right to the midsection finished Sakkreerin at 1:26.

Fresh off his sensational one-punch KO 2 of Thailand’s Fahsai “Mountain Boy” Sakkreerin in an IBF eliminator for a mandatory title shot, Cuba’s now #1-rated super featherweight Rances “Kid Blast” Barthelemy (19-0, 12 KOs) is calling out his next opponent.

“Why wait for your mandatory to get it on? Let’s do this now!” said Barthelemy to current champion Argenis Mendez. “Instead of fighting a guy I beat, come take care of business with your top challenger.”

Mendez is currently scheduled to face former Barthelemy foe Arash Usmanee in August, but Barthelemy feels the champion should forget about taking an easier fight and focus on what champions do: defend against the best possible opponent.

Barthelemy, who crushed Sakkreerin with a single body shot at 1:26 of the second round says a fight against him would be much more lucrative and exciting.

“We can do this in New York or wherever you want. You live in New York, bring your Dominican community out and I’ll bring my Cuban brothers and sisters and let’s have an old-fashioned showdown right in the Big Apple.”

Barthelemy’s co-promoter, Leon Margules of Warrior’s Boxing (along with Bad Dog Productions), says he’s hoping to convince Mendez to avoid the politicking and prove himself a true champion without first taking a warm-up against the crude Usmanee.

“My guy deserves the fight,” he said. “Why defend against a guy who lost his last fight? Jump right in and let’s see what you’ve got. Given the ethnic rivalry aspect, it’s a bigger and more lucrative fight to face my guy. It’s good business and good for boxing.”

Margules says if Mendez insists on the Usmanee fight, then he is sending out an invitation to any of the 130-lb champions or top contenders: Rances Barthelemy is looking for you. Call me and let’s make a big fight.”