So far arena-CEO Ahmet Öner had planned to build up his Cuban Olympic gold medallist Yan Barthelemy in Germany before sending him to fight in the USA. Now the manager and promoter changed his mind. Instead of fighting in Berlin on September 2nd Super Bantamweight Barthelemy will stay in Miami to get ready for his US-debut..
Öner: “Initially I wanted to keep Barthelemy, Gamboa and Solis as a group together in Europe until they are ready to fight for major titles. But I heard that boxing fans in the USA are fired up for seeing our Cubans in the ring. And unlike Fidel Castro I don’t want to hold those superstars back but present them and their huge talent to the whole world. In case of Barthelemy it is easier to promote him in America anyways. Europe is focused on heavy guys. So it is very hard to find suitable opponents for world class boxers like Barthelemy in his division. That is why he didn’t show the effort we expected when he was in Germany. I am pretty sure that he felt unchallenged and will do much better in the USA. I am really looking forward to his US debut.”
Barthelemy’s fellow countrymen Gamboa and Solis will stay in Germany and have some more fights there before they come to the USA. Öner: “They have already convinced me in their first fights in Europe so there is no need to rush. Solis and Gamboa are absolute powerhouses and international sensations who impressed fans and experts in Germany as well as in Turkey. They are both already ranked within the Top 40 by the WBC after only three professional fights. It doesn’t matter where in the world those two guys fight – they will definitely make their way to the top very fast. Of course, we will bring them to the USA very soon. And I am sure that – when we finally present them to the American crowd – they will make an impression like an earthquake. With Solis, Gamboa and Barthelemy arena is ready to take over the USA and the whole boxing world.”