Barthelemy vs. Relikh II - Vacant WBA title - February 10, 2018

[Ruthless-RKO]

On Saturday, February 10 live on SHOWTIME, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, two-division world champion Rances Barthelemy will face Kiryl Relikh in a rematch of their May showdown on SHOWTIME, this time for the vacant WBA 140-pound world title.

The fight will be the co-feature to three-division world champion Mikey Garcia attempting to win a world title in a fourth weight class when he challenges unbeaten IBF 140-pound world champion Sergey Lipinets.

The doubleheader of title bouts in the wide-open 140-pound division sets the stage for a potential unification match.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Ringstar Sports and TGB Promotions, are priced at $250, $75, $50 and $20. Tickets will go on sale next week and will be available at Ticketmaster.com.

[Andrew]

Not sure. I expected Barthelemy to wipe the floor with Relikh first time around but it was close.

The winner of this and the main event better fight.

[gilgamesh]

Not sure. I expected Barthelemy to wipe the floor with Relikh first time around but it was close.

The winner of this and the main event better fight.

You'd want to see Mikey Garcia fight the winner of this one? I'd rather see Garcia fight a more meaningful opponent myself. Either of these guys would be easy for Garcia I figure.

[Andrew]

Not sure. I expected Barthelemy to wipe the floor with Relikh first time around but it was close.

The winner of this and the main event better fight.

You'd want to see Mikey Garcia fight the winner of this one? I'd rather see Garcia fight a more meaningful opponent myself. Either of these guys would be easy for Garcia I figure.

If Mikey is at 140 what else is there for him ?

I've criticised the Lipinets fight in its own thread. I'd rather Mikey clear up a weight class, if that's 140 so be it.

[gilgamesh]

Not sure. I expected Barthelemy to wipe the floor with Relikh first time around but it was close.

The winner of this and the main event better fight.

You'd want to see Mikey Garcia fight the winner of this one? I'd rather see Garcia fight a more meaningful opponent myself. Either of these guys would be easy for Garcia I figure.

If Mikey is at 140 what else is there for him ?

I've criticised the Lipinets fight in its own thread. I'd rather Mikey clear up a weight class, if that's 140 so be it.

There was Linares at 135 that he bypassed which is better than anybody he could possibly fight at 140. At 140 there's absolutely nobody of note for Garcia to fight. Mikey Garcia is the only fighter with any name value at 140.

[Mexi-Box]

You'd want to see Mikey Garcia fight the winner of this one? I'd rather see Garcia fight a more meaningful opponent myself. Either of these guys would be easy for Garcia I figure.

If Mikey is at 140 what else is there for him ?

I've criticised the Lipinets fight in its own thread. I'd rather Mikey clear up a weight class, if that's 140 so be it.

There was Linares at 135 that he bypassed which is better than anybody he could possibly fight at 140. At 140 there's absolutely nobody of note for Garcia to fight. Mikey Garcia is the only fighter with any name value at 140.

Please, Linares is nowhere near a threat to Mikey. Barthelemy was #1 at 135 lbs. while Linares was there. If anything, Barthelemy/Relikh winner would be a better name than Linares. As for this fight, I thought Relikh won it clear. I think he'll win again but get robbed. Barthelemy is a lucky fighter. Should have two losses on his resume.

[TheGingerBomber]

Looks like the GOAT Josh Taylor will have to pummel Mikey n' co. into submission.

[gilgamesh]

If Mikey is at 140 what else is there for him ?

I've criticised the Lipinets fight in its own thread. I'd rather Mikey clear up a weight class, if that's 140 so be it.

There was Linares at 135 that he bypassed which is better than anybody he could possibly fight at 140. At 140 there's absolutely nobody of note for Garcia to fight. Mikey Garcia is the only fighter with any name value at 140.

Please, Linares is nowhere near a threat to Mikey. Barthelemy was #1 at 135 lbs. while Linares was there. If anything, Barthelemy/Relikh winner would be a better name than Linares. As for this fight, I thought Relikh won it clear. I think he'll win again but get robbed. Barthelemy is a lucky fighter. Should have two losses on his resume.

Linares is significantly more accomplished than Barthelemy and Relikh combined.

[Mexi-Box]

There was Linares at 135 that he bypassed which is better than anybody he could possibly fight at 140. At 140 there's absolutely nobody of note for Garcia to fight. Mikey Garcia is the only fighter with any name value at 140.

Please, Linares is nowhere near a threat to Mikey. Barthelemy was #1 at 135 lbs. while Linares was there. If anything, Barthelemy/Relikh winner would be a better name than Linares. As for this fight, I thought Relikh won it clear. I think he'll win again but get robbed. Barthelemy is a lucky fighter. Should have two losses on his resume.

Linares is significantly more accomplished than Barthelemy and Relikh combined.

How? Did you forget Linares got stopped by average guys like Demarco and Thompson? Mikey knocks him out in any scenario.

Barthelemy beat Mendez x2, Shafikov, Bey, and Demarco, and as I said, he was the #1 LW while Linares was still fighting there.

[gilgamesh]

Please, Linares is nowhere near a threat to Mikey. Barthelemy was #1 at 135 lbs. while Linares was there. If anything, Barthelemy/Relikh winner would be a better name than Linares. As for this fight, I thought Relikh won it clear. I think he'll win again but get robbed. Barthelemy is a lucky fighter. Should have two losses on his resume.

Linares is significantly more accomplished than Barthelemy and Relikh combined.

How? Did you forget Linares got stopped by average guys like Demarco and Thompson? Mikey knocks him out in any scenario.

Barthelemy beat Mendez x2, Shafikov, Bey, and Demarco, and as I said, he was the #1 LW while Linares was still fighting there.

Barthelemy has never been #1 in any weight class he's competed in.

I remember Linares' losses. He's improved since those defeats, and is better now than he's ever been. He's held titles in 3 weight classes, and has been in significantly more title fights than Relikh or Barthelemy. The cuts defeat to Sergio Thompson seems to be a case where he just didn't give himself time to heal up properly following the Demarco fight which was quite grueling.

I think Linares would definitely beat Barthelemy or Relikh. I'll give it to you though that Garcia probably would be too much for Linares. I'd still like to see it though because I don't like to just assume a guy can beat somebody.

[Mexi-Box]

Linares is significantly more accomplished than Barthelemy and Relikh combined.

How? Did you forget Linares got stopped by average guys like Demarco and Thompson? Mikey knocks him out in any scenario.

Barthelemy beat Mendez x2, Shafikov, Bey, and Demarco, and as I said, he was the #1 LW while Linares was still fighting there.

Barthelemy has never been #1 in any weight class he's competed in.

I remember Linares' losses. He's improved since those defeats, and is better now than he's ever been. He's held titles in 3 weight classes, and has been in significantly more title fights than Relikh or Barthelemy. The cuts defeat to Sergio Thompson seems to be a case where he just didn't give himself time to heal up properly following the Demarco fight which was quite grueling.

I think Linares would definitely beat Barthelemy or Relikh. I'll give it to you though that Garcia probably would be too much for Linares. I'd still like to see it though because I don't like to just assume a guy can beat somebody.

I think it was after Crawford vacated and Barthelemy defeated Shafikov or Bey that he was ranked there.

How do you know Linares has improved? His resume isn't that good. What's his best win since his return? Anthony Crolla who is domestic level or Mitchell? Both are lesser names than Shafikov and Mendez.

No, Linares would get knocked out by Barthelemy. Relikh outworks him as the bigger, stronger guy.

[gilgamesh]

I know Linares has improved because I can see it when I watch him fight.

Since they're fighting in different weight classes at the moment anyway, whether or not he'd beat Barthelemy or Relikh is apparently a moot point.

I'd favor Mikey G. to beat the winner of Barthelemy-Relikh that's for sure.