Premier Boxing Champions announced Friday afternoon that the headline bout for its PBC on Spike event on June 3 will feature IBF lightweight champion Rances Barthelemy defending his title against Mickey Bey. The action will be held at the Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Fla.
“There were rumors that a fight between me and Mickey Bey was on the brink of happening prior to my fight against Denis Shafikov, so now that it is here I know it was destined to happen,” Barthelemy said. “I'm not a rookie anymore. I'm not going into this worried or nervous about it being my first title defense at 135. I'm comfortable enough now to see every fight as just another challenge I need to execute my game plan the most effectively and with the least amount of errors.”
Bey (22-1-1, 10 KOs) has won four straight since being stopped in the 10th by John Molina Jr. and he is determined to regain the IBF 135-pound strap that he had to vacate last year due to injuries and being unable to compete. He won the title by edging Miguel Vazquez in September of 2014 but was sidelined for 15 months, unable to properly defend it.
“Barthelemy won my title, I had to vacate it due to a hand injury, so all he is doing is keeping it warm for me,” said Bey. “Training camp is going great. I have been training hard for over a month. I have the best team in the business, with the most knowledgeable trainers. I'm looking forward to the challenge with him being undefeated and a two-time world champion. We both have a lot of skills, so it will make an entertaining fight for sure.”
Televised coverage of the event will begin with a 10-round bantamweight showdown between top prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez (14-0, 10 KOs).and veteran Victor Proa (28-1-2, 21 KOs). Spike will air the action beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.