Rances Barthelemy defended his IBF junior lightweight world championship against Fernando David Saucedo with a dominating unanimous decision, scored 120-108 by all three judges, Saturday night at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn. Barthelemy (21-0, 12 KOs) controlled the bout from the opening bell and was the more active and accurate fighter, throwing 819 punches to Saucedo’s 382. Saucedo (52-6-3, 8, KOs) tried to counter, but he wasn’t quick enough to land anything meaningful against the elusive Cuban. Barthelemy, who landed 50 percent of his power shots, employed a diverse attack of uppercuts, hooks and jabs and fought with his hands down and by his side for most of the fight.
“It was a good fight,” Barthelemy said. “Saucedo is a veteran guy. In one moment, I thought I was going to knock him out, but he knows how to make the fight last. I want Mikey Garcia. They say he’s the best. I say I’m the best. Let’s settle it.”
Saucedo didn’t win a single round and was outclassed in his United States debut. “I did everything I could,” Saucedo said. “We gave it our all but he is just a stronger and bigger guy. He’s a very good fighter, but he’s too big for this weight division.”