Barthelemy takes pride in heritage
Cuban-born fighter seeking place in history
As a young man who tried and failed more than 35 times to defect from Cuba before successfully escaping the Communist island in 2007, Rances Barthelemy, perhaps as much as anyone, understands the meaning of persistence, grit and determination.
So when Barthelemy pursues something, he usually gets it.
His latest challenge is to become the first Cuban-born professional fighter to win titles in three weight classes. That hunt begins on national TV Saturday night at the MGM National Harbor in suburban Washington, D.C. The former lightweight and super featherweight titlist (25-0, 13 KOs) takes on 27-year-old Kiryl Relikh (21-1, 19 KOs), a tough power puncher from Belarus, in a 12-round super lightweight title eliminator that marks Relikh’s first fight in the USA.
The fight is part of the televised undercard of Showtime’s split-venue telecast (6 p.m. ET) that features two D.C.-area world champions defending their titles — Gary Russell Jr. (27-1, 16 KOs) of Capitol Heights, Md., puts his WBC featherweight title on the line against Oscar Escandon (25-2, 17 KOs) of Colombia at the MGM; and boxing ’s youngest world champion, 22-year-old Gervonta Davis (17-0, 16 KOs) of Baltimore defends his IBF super featherweight title in London against British southpaw Liam Walsh (21-0, 14 KOs).
Barthelemy, who moved to Las Vegas from Miami a few years ago, trains alongside his younger brother, Leduan, and former Cuban Olympian Yordenis Ugas, under legendary former Cuban national coach Ismael Salas. The fighter nicknamed “Kid Blast” sat down for a recent interview with USA TODAY Sports to discuss his life and upcoming fight.
“To be honest, there’s probably nothing better than for a Cuban to live in Miami, because the climate is similar (to Cuba), there are so many Cubans there, and there are a lot of spots to go hang out,” he said. “But, at the same time, it’s also very important for any athlete to get out of Miami because of the distractions and all the parties, and I was getting wrapped up in that stuff. So I made a complete change once I moved here, and I could not be more grateful.”
Barthelemy says he knows little about his little-known opponent, “other than what I know based on his last fight against Ricky Burns (a unanimous decision loss to the unified champion in Scotland). He is an aggressor, he likes to come forward and really exchange punches with his opponents.
“I also anticipate having to make adjustments,” he added. “I always prepare to adjust to whatever my opponent brings. Being a cerebral fighter is a skill that has helped me succeed inside the ring.”
Barthelemy has not fought in nearly a year, earning a split-decision victory against Mickey Bey in June in his only IBF lightweight title defense. He’s not worried about ring rust, however, even with his move up to 140 pounds.
“We have been in the gym nonstop since my last fight,” he said. “We took a few weeks off to visit Cuba for the first time since my defection. I’ve been training hard to be prepared when my name got called.
“The layoff happened for reasons out of my control. My management team has been trying to get the best opponents, and, unfortunately, it took longer than we expected. But we are here now, and I’m as prepared as I have ever been.”
Barthelemy’s return to Cuba in August was somewhat scary, he said, but turned out to be a most unforgettable journey.
“It was very emotional. It was a long eight years I had to wait. And I didn’t know if they were going to allow me to go back,” he said. “I was a little bit nervous at first, especially visiting the Cuban Embassy in Washington, just to be able to know I was going to be allowed to go back and visit my loved ones for the first time in a long time. Once I got the OK, and was on my way, I was nothing but nerves until I actually got there and visited my hometown (Havana), and everybody welcomed me with open arms.
“They were very grateful, and they look at (us) fighters coming from Cuba and putting them on the map, per se, and say (we) are pretty much opening doors not only for other athletes but also showcasing (our) pride and (our) culture.”
Though he plans to remain in the USA, Barthelemy, 30, still has Cuban blood coursing through his veins and says becoming the first Cuban to be a three-division world champion would mean the world to him.
“After all that it took to defect from Cuba, the near-death experiences, the imprisonments, leaving my loved ones behind, it would all have been worth it,” he said. “I want to inspire the youth that come after me as well, let them know to never give up on their dreams, no matter the conditions you live in or what the naysayers may say.
“Me winning a third world title and making history for a Cuban would prove that.”
“I want to inspire the youth that come after me as well, let them know to never give up on their dreams.” Cuban-born boxer Rances Barthelemy