Rances Barthelemy will defend the IBF Jr. Lightweight title against Fernando Saucedo most likely at Foxwoods in Connecticut and on Showtime according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.
“I think Barthelemy is the best 130-pound fighter in the world and Saucedo is a good boxer, strong and very durable, so he should be a good test for my guy,” said Barthelemy promoter Leon Margules. “Saucedo earned his ranking and it’s a good test for Barthelemy in his first title defense.”
“Saucedo is the most talented, available fighter willing to fight Barthelemy that is in the top 15 of the IBF rankings,” Margules said. “And he is also the highest available guy, No. 3, so we are fighting him. And top 15 and he was the highest available guy, No. 3.”
Margules said another factor in making the fight is that Saucedo is promoted by Sampson Lewkowicz, with whom Margules is close.
“We do a fare amount of business together and he is a friend,” Margules said.
