Barthelemy to Face Osiobe on Friday in Shootout at Texas Station
Another intriguing fight has been added to the undercard of this Friday’s ShoBox: The New Generation telecast (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) presented by Warriors Boxing, entitled “Shootout at Texas Station”, from the Texas Station Gambling Hall & Hotel in Las Vegas, as undefeated Cuban American Rances “Kid Blast” Barthelemy (15-0, 11 KOs) will now face Denmark, via Nigeria’s Robert “Super” Osiobe (11-4, 6 KOs) in an eight-round super featherweight battle.
“Shootout at Texas Station” will be headlined by a 10-round junior middleweight main event between Cuba’s Yudel Jhonson (12-0, 8 KOs) and Cleveland’s Willie “The Great” Nelson (17-1-1, 11 KOs). The eight-round co-feature will pit undefeated super middleweights Badou Jack “The Ripper” (10-0, 8 KOs) of Sweden and Colombia’s power-punching Alexander Brand (17-0, 15 KOs).
Barthelemy had originally been scheduled to face Mexico’s Aalan Martinez, but an injury forced his withdrawal and the removal of the fight from the televised portion of the show.
The addition of the capable Osiobe, however, makes that fact unfortunate for the television audience.
“That’s a great fight,” said event promoter Leon Margules of Warriors Boxing. “You really have to hand it to Rances to be taken off TV, but still want to go in against a tough opponent. He’s a true fighter and we’re very proud of him.”
Osiobe’s four losses have come against three undefeated fighters and one former world title challenger, in a fight for the European championship.
“Rances was sensational in his last fight against Hylon Williams, so we’re confident in his abilities, but this fight is by no means a gimme. Osiobe is competitive with just about any super featherweight in the world.”
