Tonight, live on FoxSports1, Iron Mike Productions will offer fight fans a very interesting night of action in a card capped off with a rematch between Argenis “La Tormenta” Mendez (21-1-1, 1NC, 11KO’s) and Rances “Kid Blast” Barthelemy (19-0, 1 NC, 12 KOs). Don’t show up late for this one, as the stacked undercard will showcase the talents of two other studs under the promotional banner when Light Heavyweight Humberto “El Don” Savigne (12-1, 9 KOs) and Welterweight stud Erickson “Hammer” Lubin (5-0, 5 KOs) take center stage.
Savigne will take on veteran Jeff “Left-Hook” Lacy (26-4, 18KO’s), who has been very eager to reestablish himself amongst today’s crop of Light Heavyweights. Savigne, currently ranked #3 by the WBC, is a fighter who the legendary “Iron” Mike Tyson has very high hopes for. When asked recently about where he places Savigne amongst the elite fighters of the division, Tyson responded in saying “Savigne can beat both Kovalev and Stevenson”.
He would continue his thoughts by stating “he’s got as much power as they do but he’s also a very skilled and intelligent fighter. Boxing fans deserve the chance to see those two fight against someone who has a chance to beat them.” With 450 amateur fights and recent victories over Richard Hall and Jackson Junior, Savigne could be well on his way to greener pastures with a victory over Lacy, tonight.
Before they step into the ring, fight fans will get a glimpse of Team USA’s #1 Olympic prospect for 2016 when talented Welterweight Erickson Lubin faces Noe Balanos. Lubin’s speed, ferocity and patented jab make him a tough out for anyone, and if Tyson can have his way, it won’t be long before we see both he and Savigne in the mix with today’s elite! When asked to elaborate on the direction of his fighters, Tyson quickly stated “In just the last couple of weeks, two brilliant amateur stars have fought for world titles. Vasyl Lomachenko schooled the game but overmatched Gary Russell Jr.; while Yuriorkis Gamboa stepped up in weight and was knocked out by the former United States National Amateur Champion, WBO champ Terence Crawford.”
Tyson clearly has no plans to hold these two lions back, and in an ode to his promotional motto, he’ll solidify those plans by making sure he does his role to “make sure the best get their opportunity to face the best”. This same spirit can be credited for the rematch which will headline tonight’s card when Mendez takes on Bethelemy for the second time this year. When asked about the rematch, Tyson chimed “you don’t always get a second chance to correct a mistake”. On the strength of that reality, Tyson prompted his young charge to seize the moment and lay it all on the line.
After having his decision overturned, Barthelemy will also enter the ring tonight with a chip on his shoulder and a point to prove, setting the stage for a main event that won’t disappoint. Questions raised will be questions answered, as for all of these men, it’s officially “JUDGMENT DAY”! Tune in to FoxSports1 to see how it all unfolds.
(Vivek “Vito” Wallace can be heard every Tuesday night on Left-Hook Lounge Radio, or reached at 954.770.9807, Wallace@boxing247.com, Twitter (@vivekwallace747), Instagram (ViveksView), and Facebook).
