Rances Barthelemy vacates lightweight belt; Robert Easter Jr. to face Richard Commey for title

Rances Barthelemy successfully defended his IBF lightweight title for the first time last weekend, but that will be his final fight at 135 pounds.

That's because the Cuban will move up to junior welterweight for his next fight with an eye on a title in a third weight class. He relinquished the belt after the victory over Mickey Bey, and the IBF subsequently ordered a bout between Robert Easter Jr. and Richard Commey for the vacant title.

"I'm looking to make history and win three titles in three weight classes," Barthelemy (25-0, 13 KOs) told Paste BN Sports through translator/advisor Luis DeCubas Jr. "I just grew out of the weight. I felt much better vs. (Antonio) DeMarco at 140."

The 29-year-old leapfrogged 135 and easily topped DeMarco last summer, but then jumped to 130 for a title fight against Denis Shafikov, which he won in December. The vacancy creates a compelling matchup at lightweight between two top undefeated fighters.
Easter (17-0, 14 KOs), an accomplished amateur from Toledo, Ohio, popped off the screen with a fifth-round knockout of Algenis Mendez in April. He thought he would be fighting for a title soon after, but not this soon.

"It's everything I've been waiting on my whole life," Easter, 25, told Paste BN Sports in a text message. "Now it's time to show the world who and what Robert Easter Jr. is made of. I will be world champion!"

It's not likely to be easy. Mendez was a career-best win, and Commey (24-0, 22 KOs) represents an even tougher task on paper. The English-based fighter is a big puncher and has fought all over the world with matchups in seven countries already. He's promoted by German powerhouse Sauerland Promotion.

"I'm really excited to finally get my shot at the world title,'' Commey, 29, said Tuesday at a news conference in his native Accra, Ghana. "I have been waiting too long and too many fighters have avoided me, but it seems like we are finally there. I would like to thank my promoter Team Sauerland for helping to get this opportunity, which I will take with both hands."

''If the fight comes to Ghana, I will make the whole country proud. It would be a dream come true to fight in our national stadium.''

Both sides have until July 6 to strike a deal. If not, a purse bid will be ordered.

(Photo of Barthelemy by Leo Wilson Jr., Premier Boxing Champions)