IBF orders Barthelemy vs. Shafiov for vacant lightweight belt
Well, a day after Mickey Bey relinquished his IBF lightweight belt, the IBF has ordered Rances Barthelemy vs. Denis Shafiov for the vacant title. This may come as strange news to some as Barthelemy has fought only a few times at 135 lbs as his last fight was at 140 lbs. in which he retired Antonio DeMarco.
This also sets up for an interesting Al Haymon vs. Bob Arum/Top Rank purse bid that could be in store