By Brendan Taylor: Trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. has never been short for words throughout the course of his life in boxing, Wednesday afternoon was no different. I got a chance to talk to him at the media workouts for Mickey Bey (22-1-1, 10 KO’s) and IBF lightweight champion Rances Barthelemy (24-0, 13 KO’s) for thier fight tonight at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, in Hollywood, Florida. He spoke very glowingly of his fighter Mickey Bey who’s coming in on a 4-fight win streak since his TKO loss to John Molina in 2013.
“Mickey Bey is faster, slicker, more clever and hits harder, you will see that” said the senior version of Floyd Mayweather. There’s no doubt that this is the biggest fight for Bey since 2013, he comes into this bout in the latter stages of his career against a younger, undefeated champion in Barthelemy.
Neither fighter is known for their knockout power, so conventional wisdom says that this fight will come down to the boxing skills of each fighter. Mayweather Sr. on the other hand shares a different viewpoint than I do. “I really believe that this fight will end up in a knockout and it won’t be against us” Mayweather said.
Barthelemy is a lanky lightweight listed at 5’11 with a 73-inch reach advantage, dimensions which are in fact similar to junior welterweight champion Viktor Postol. Power in his last bout against the very tough Denis Shafikov seemed to be lacking as the Cuban engaged in a toe to toe battle which featured plenty of come forward action from Shafikov.
Age, height and his previous fight indicate that Rances may have outgrown lightweight and dramatically cutting down to make weight might come back to haunt him. Mayweather seems to believe that’s the case and that it’s time for Mickey Bey to regain the title he vacated last July.
Personally I believe Mickey Bey doesn’t have enough power to hurt Barthelemy and the result will wind up with him getting outboxed. Regardless this will be a major test for Barthelemy who has plans to move up to 140 and could be distracted with the luxury of fighting in his own backyard. Regardless we have to see this “new Mickey Bey” that Mayweather Sr keeps spewing on and on about.
Barthelemy vs. Bey will be televised tonight on Premier Boxing Champions on Spike TV.