PBC On FS1 Toe-to-Toe Tuesdays results: Barthelemy and Ramirez fight to disputed draw

In a battle of top-flite undefeated prospects, Leduan Barthelemy and slight underdog Eduardo Ramirez (20-0-3, 7 KO) fought to a ten-round draw before a live Cannery Hotel and Casino crowd from Las Vegas, Nevada. Following five initial give-and-take rounds, where Barthelemy (13-0-1, 7 KO) outworked Ramirez a bit from distance, throughout frames six and seven, behind intelligent pressure, the 24-year-old Mexican overwhelmed Barthelemy.

At times in the sixth round, Barthelemy appeared on the verge of stoppage while absorbing numerous unanswered shots. However, desperate, the 28-year-old Cuban fighter made crucial footwork adjustments in the latter-stages to reestablish effective range and limp into disputed-draw territory.

Final scores read 97-93 in favor of Barthelemy, 96-94 in favor of Ramirez, and finally, 95-95 even, for a split draw.

While Barthelemy entered Tuesday’s main-event with a bigger name (on account of his unbeaten world champion brother, Rances) perhaps surname-recognition unjustly swayed two of the three judges’ scorecards.

Hopefully, Ramirez will gain another opportunity at Barthelemy, as many feel the come-forward ring warrior earned a signature win tonight in what should have become another milestone toward championship contention.

The lead undercard attraction saw an eventful, if one-sided, war between Alejandro Salinas (9-1, 8 KO) and gritty lifelong battler Duarn Vue (12-1-2, 4 KO). Though Vue dropped his eight-round affair (80-72 79-73, 77-75) vs. Salinas, the 31-year old’s journey from childhood strife to paid boxing makes him a champion in life.

Although, throughout a fitting main-event prelude, 22-year-old Salinas displayed greater tactical skill and distancing than his foe, while routinely bouncing hard lefts and rights off the the 5’3 Vue’s body and head.

Nonetheless, each fighter showed attributes which warrant future network-spotlight appearances.

FS1 action began as 19-year-old Bryan Figueroa edged former undefeated challenger Ivan Jiminez (7-1-1, 4KO) to earn a unanimous six-round decision, 58-56 on all three judges’ scorecards.

While narrowly escaping a draw, Figueroa (13-0, 5KO) used his considerable length advantage in spurts against his game Cuban opponent. However, even after a quality formative-level win, the rangy Tijuana-native will need to improve in several areas before moving up the ladder.

The obvious areas for Figueroa improvement include learning how to effectively use his jab, fight tall, and implement a solid game-plan.

That stated, the touted Sampson promotional team thinks highly of Figueroa. Many of his handlers believe the teenage prospect can become a future world champion.

Time will tell.

In closing, Tuesday’s PBC on FS1 card featured a pair of explosive Mexico v Cuba showdowns and, more importantly, gate proceeds will be donated to help those devastated by the recent Mexico City earthquake.