The win couldn’t have been more important for Rennes Barthelemy.
The Cuban defeated Omar Juarez by majority decision to bounce back from a knockout loss to Rolando Romero-Ismael Barroso in the co-feature of the evening, held Saturday night at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas.
Barthelemy scored a highly competitive fight of 98-92 and 97-93 on two judges’ scorecards, while the third offered a score of 95-95 on the bout booked at 143 pounds, which will now open doors for Habanero. ,
“I tried to win this fight smartly with my mind against a young fighter and that’s what I did,” Barthelemy said through an interpreter. “I want a rematch with Gary Antoine Russell. I love her with all my might.
Barthelemy (30-2-1, 15 KOs), 37, a Las Vegas-based fighter and two-time world title holder, was coming off a 10-month layoff and was knocked out by the undefeated up-and-coming Russell. Sixth round last July.
At that point it looked like Barthelemy was in a position to continue the fight and that’s why the Cuban is at the receiving end of that defeat, although on this occasion he looked much better against Juarez (14-2, 5 KOs). Was. , 23 years old. , from Brownsville, Texas.
For the first few rounds, Barthélemy began to take control of the action before Juárez took the lead and began the contest with excellent body shots, and he troubled his opponent with left hands in the fifth round.
But the more experienced Barthelemy also knew how to pull back and keep his distance when necessary, something that was seen in the seventh round when Juárez’s corner jumped on him, allowing him to pick up the pace and win the decision. Was asking not to leave upstairs. the hands of the judges.
On the one hand, Juarez’s corner told him to “empty the tank” and Barthelemy asked him to see the knockout, but in the end the judges saw that Antillian had done enough to earn the win, ending a streak of three. . wins over his opponent since surprising 10-round majority decision loss to All Rivera in June 2021
Juárez said, “Honestly I thought I did enough to win, but the only thing left to do is work harder next time.”
“My only mistake was not being over him. Should have been more aggressive. I’ll let my hands do the talking and stay humble.
