Cuban power-punching sensation Rances “Kid Blast” Barthelemy (12-0, 10 KOs) will be looking to stretch his knockout streak to eight when he appears in one of the main supporting bouts of the “FIGHT NIGHTS” at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on July 29.
It’s not hard to figure why they call 24-year-old Barthelemy “Kid Blast” once the leather starts flying.
Barthelemy is a monster puncher with both hands. Standing an amazing 5′ 11″ for his 130-lb weight class, he towers over his opponents and then puts them to sleep with his twin blasters.
The younger brother of 2004 Olympic Gold medalist and current pro prospect Yan Barthelemy – Rances had an impressive amateur career, competing in 200 fights and earning the Cuban junior national championship before defecting to the United States a couple years ago.
Since turning pro, he has made believers out of fans around the United States by battering every opponent put in front of him in convincing fashion.
Part of the credit for Barthelemy’s impressive progress must be given to his formidable support team including trainer Orlando Cuellar (known for the miracles he has worked with multiple world champion Glen Johnson), well-respected super manager Henry Foster and co-promoters Richard Dobral of Bad Dog Promotions and Leon Margules of Warrior’s Boxing.
Barthelemy will be taking a considerable jump forward in experience when he faces Kansas City’s Gerardo Robles (14-9, 6 KO`s) over eight rounds. Robles has lost just twice in his last 13 fights, dating back to 2008 and scored victories over some very respectable opponents.
“This will be a good test for Rances,” said Margules. “Rances has been bowling over his opponents with such ease that it’s time to step him up and see how he handles it.”
“FIGHT NIGHTS” at The Cosmopolitan will be headlined by the 12-round IBF Super Lightweight elimination bout between the Dominican Republic’s once-beaten IBF #3-rated Victor “Mermelada” Cayo (20-1, 18 KOs) and Washington DC’s IBF #4-ranked Lamont Peterson (24-1-1, 14 KOs) and the sensational 10-round light heavyweight showdown between Edison “Pantera” Miranda (34-5, 29 KOs) and Yordanis Despaigne (8-1, 4 KOs). The two main bouts will televised live on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights.
In a 10-round battle with a touch of international flavor, Chelyabwsk, Russia’s undefeated Sergey Kovalev (15-0, 13 KO`s) will face Nairobi, Kenya’s Douglas Otieno (23-6, 12 KO`s) for the NABA Light Heavyweight Championship.
Also featured is a six-round light heavyweight scrap between Las Vegas’ (via Sweden) Badou Jack “The Ripper” (6-0, 5 KOs) and Athens, Georgia’s Timothy Hall Jr. (6-11, 4 KOs); and in a four-round lightweight attraction, popular Las Vegas fighter Cameron Kreal will make his highly anticipated pro debut against fellow Las Vegas resident Franky Martinez (0-3).
