The year 2014 in the sport of Boxing began on January 3rd
when IBF Jr. Lightweight world champion Argenis Mendez stepped into the ring to
face undefeated number one contender Rances Barthelemy at the Target Center in
Minneapolis, Minnesota. Barthelemy’s strength and punching power dictated the
action from the opening bell and it appeared as though the champion had no
answer for Barthelemy.
Mendez would be dropped twice in the second round, the
second of the two knockdowns would cause the fight’s conclusion. Barthelemy
knocked Mendez down at the end of the round and the champion was subsequently
counted out by Referee Pete
Podgorski. What appeared to some as a clear knockout for Rances Barthelemy
however, would be overshadowed by controversy.
The controversy that
emerged was that the bell to end the second round rang twice, each with a
single ding about a second apart. The champion Mendez was not knocked to the
canvas until after the bell rang for the second time. This ultimately led to
the Minnesota Department Of Labor And Industry to rule the bout a no contest
with the International Boxing Federation (IBF) reinstating Mendez as it’s Jr.
Lightweight world champion.
Some readers may recall my
coverage of this fight back in January when I said it was my hope that the
controversy would be resolved as quickly as possible. In a sport where
criticisms of those who regulate the sport is all too common, both the
commission that oversaw this fight, the Minnesota Department Of Labor And
Industry as well as the sanctioning organization, the IBF who’s Jr. Lightweight
world title was at stake should both be commended for taking appropriate action
in this matter.
This observer however, also stated that the fairest
recourse for all involved in my mind would be for the IBF to mandate an
immediate rematch between Mendez and Barthelemy. That rematch will take place
on July 10th at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida.
Normally when there are circumstances that call for an
immediate rematch, more often than not the reasoning is likely centered around
elements of the scoring of a fight. Obviously, this rematch is different in
that some were of the opinion that Barthelemy was on his way to a convincing
victory over Mendez regardless of the circumstances of the controversy that
emerged.
Barthelemy did control the action when the two men last
saw each other in the ring. It would certainly not be hard to see most viewing
Barthelemy as a significant favorite as this rematch approaches based on how
the first fight was fought. It will be interesting to see whether Barthelemy
will be able to control this fight from the outset as he did in the first
encounter, or if Mendez will be able to rebound from the knockout.
The winner of this fight will likely face former world
title challenger Michael Farenas, who scored an eight round stoppage over
previously undefeated Mark Davis last week in an IBF world title elimination
bout. Before Farenas can get his shot at the title however, Mendez and
Barthelemy will meet to settle unfinished business.
It goes without saying that sometimes in the sport of
Boxing what is logical and what can be viewed as a fair solution to a
controversy does not always take place. In this case, both Argenis Mendez and
Rances Barthelemy have an opportunity to bring an end to a controversy. Will
the rematch bring closure to this controversy? We will find out on July 10th.
“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”
The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau
Denison All Rights Reserved.
Follow Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison
No comments:
Post a Comment