Isiah Thomas vs Murat Gassiev & Denis Shafikov vs Rances Barthelemy RBR

Round 8

Barthelemy opens up some deep ravines on Shafikov's face. Barthelemy is getting his timing down pulling back and drawing the bowstring on a 1-2, then falling in on Shafikov to smother his counterattack. Blood getting in Shafikov's eyes. Shafikov is still workmanlike, firing combos with moderately bad intentions, part blind. Barthelemy slapping low with a left uppercut stepping away.

10-9 Barthelemy

77-75 Shafikov

 

Very close.

10-9 Shafikov

87-84 Shafikov

 

Nah. I just liked Barth's cleaner work early in the fight. Rounds are extremely close, though.

 

7-2 for the russian

 

I actually called the 9th for Shafikov.

 

Round 9

Barthelemy is stepping into his jab, hoping to stir up Shafikov's facial skin to agitate it and slough off another layer. Barthelemy is getting off in short bursts, doing targeted work and then spoiling with either a tie-up or lean, or sliding-step outside to flip up jabs off the right hip. Barthelemy is catching Shafikov as he tries cutting the ring off, squinting through puffy eyes. Combos by Shafikov, persistent and diligent but not reaching the mark for the most part. Barthelemy is clowning, shoulder-shrugging, even trying a bolo punch as he pot shots with the flip-up jab from outside.

10-9 Barthelemy

86-85 Shafikov

 

the russian is landing every punch he throws basically. Ive seen this happen in a rances fight before and he still got the victory.

 

Barthelemy on to holding and staying tall after 10 rounds of stupid fighting

 

6-4 Barthelemy.

 

..and Barthelemy pulled off a Klitschko round. Fight like this and you can dominate the division for 11 years.

5-5

 

Cool octopus ****

 

10-9 Shafikov 97-93 Shafikov. Won the first 2 mins pretty easily. Don't agree with the commentary at all. These rounds are pretty close, and showboating + blood on your opponents face from an earlier cut doesn't equate to winning a rd.