Leduan Barthelemy remains unbeaten, stops Reynaldo Blanco in ninth round

Cuban prospect Leduan Barthelemy stopped Reynaldo Blanco in the ninth round in the main event of Premier Boxing Champions Toe-to-Toe Tuesday from Robinson Rancheria Resort and Casino in Nice, Calif.

"I came here knowing that I had to make a statement and deliver a knockout ," said Barthelemy. "I controlled the fight from the opening bell and never lost focus."

Barthelemy (13-0, 7 KOs), the younger brother of two-division world champion Rances Barthelemy, used his length and speed to dictate the action against Blanco, who came alive in the third round after a slow start, connecting with a looping right hand on Barthelemy's head late in the round.

Blanco (14-4, 8 KOs) landed a sharp left hook in the fourth round, but Barthelemy responded with a right hook of his own to end the round. Barthelemy used a stiff jab behind his many combinations and eventually opened up a cut over Blanco's right eye near the end of the eighth round.

Barthelemy entered the ninth round for the first time in his career and dropped Blanco with a series of hard right hands early in the round. Blanco got up but Barthelemy continued his onslaught, prompting Blanco's corner to stop the fight at the official time of 1:30 of round nine.  

"I feel like I'm the best up-and-coming fighter in the division," said Barthelemy, 27. "I'm ready to step up to the next level of competition."