Denis Shafikov vs. Rances Barthelemy Dec 18th

Barthelemy, from Cuba and has all the diverse masterful boxing skills they are known for. While he's the favorite, its not by much at -225.

Barthelemy ****ysis: To start he has mastered the ability to find and keep accurate punch distance whenever he wants, via inches footwork and touching his opponent. Next he throws his punches with timing. Not just at full speed or just technically correct or with bad intentions (which they are). His fluidity between offense and defense is excellent. His counterpunch selection is brutal, he throws without thinking the accurate punch/combo which is the correct immediate respond that capitalizes and punishes the attack thrown at him. He is equally adept at orthodox and southpaw. And uses both frequently. He uses the show and tell jab to set things up. For this reason he cant wait for you to punch. He doesn't just sit back and box to victory, he looks to attack and open up BIG time. But he does pick his spots to do so.

The only vunerability is that he keeps his chin high and straight in the air at all times. Someone skilled enough could punish this flaw, and mentally he shares a bravado weakness with Gamboa a fellow countrymen, leading to sometimes getting reckless in attack taking more chances then he needs to. Again something that can be used against him, by a fighter that knows how to capitalize on such things. Good luck getting to his chin though. His defense is elite.


Shafikov anaylsis: The first thing that strikes you when looking at this guy the first time.. how the hell is he a boxer? With his low height, short arms, big head and unremarkable frame. In my opinion he has overachieved being as successful as he has in his boxing career, given what he was given to work with. In a litter of puppies he would be the runt. But as is the case at times, what the runt lacks physically he has in spades internally. Like Rudy from that football movie. Clearly very dedicated to mastering his craft, he displays a strong will and big heart. He walks you down, and applys pressure to you relentlessly. Physically he has some speed. He has a high workrate. He doesn't have a whole lot of power. He has a solid classic responsible defense, as a testament to his legs trength, crouches very very low while in proper punching stance to avoid punches which allows good counter opportunities, Like what you saw with sweet pea whitaker. I hope I don't go to hell for mention Pernell Whitaker and Denis Shafikov in the same sentence.

The simple truth is, this is a lopsided mismatch. Barthelemy has Shafikov outmatched in every category in a way that willpower can't overcome. I don't think he will be KOed, but its possible. Skill and Will must go hand in hand, and Shafikovs intangibles and skills just don't cut it in this fight.

At -225 Barthelemy is a STEAL, this is a christmas gift from the oddsmakers in my opinion. So if you accept the gift by betting the house, the mercedes, the college fund on Barthelemy, Merry Christmas.

 

Precisely, im not even sure Shafikov's Trex arms can reach Rances "I needs a nickname badly" Barthelemy's chin. That is a joke... kinda

 

I dunno man, thats like saying Baldomir was gonna be a tough night for Mayweather. What makes you think Shafikov can keep up with this man, i know he has the willpower and heart to be relentless, i don't see it as being enough here.

 

I agree to everything said here. However IMO Shafikov doesn't have what it takes to expose his flaws, either with power or skill.

I think that Barthelemy has a lot of heart on top of all his boxing skill.... to where even in the chance he did get in some sort of trouble or faced adversity..... he wouldnt fold under any pressure to give Shafikov a chance. Like Shafikov was able to cause his skilled Ghanian opponent to do in 2012 i believe

 

No, seriously

 

I agree. It was a tough fight to score I think it could have gone either way, it was a story of Barthelemy's definitive cleaner shots vs Usmanee's higher amount of shots landed not as clean and flush

 

Barthelemy fought Shafikov's fight. Not exactly adhering to an intelligent fight plan and got the nod over a close one. Add Barthelemy to the list of past taller opponents that Shafikov has put under a hypnotic spell where they voluntarily choose to give up thier height and reach and fight at Shafikovs distance