Easter Jr vs Barthelemy

Easter Jr vs Barthelemy Live : In combat sports, often the best fights are produced when both competitors have something to prove. The slight air of desperation between fighters has long been a great recipe for action and entertainment. 

Easter Jr vs Barthelemy Live Watch 

The same theory could be in play for Saturday's lightweight title bout when former champion Robert Easter Jr. (21-1, 14 KOs) looks to bounce back from his first defeat when he faces former two-division titleholder Rances Barthelemy (27-1, 14 KOs) for the vacant WBA title at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas (Showtime, 10 p.m. ET). 

The matchup pairs two of the tallest and craftiest fighters in the 135-pound division. Yet the key combustible element adjoining the two boxers is how hungry they are to return to the title level by avoiding a second costly setback. 

The 28-year-old Easter returns to the ring for the first time since losing his IBF title to Mikey Garcia by wide decision in their unification bout last July. After a one-fight move to trainer Kevin Cunningham's gym in Florida, Easter has made the decision to return to his roots by rejoining his father and trainer, Robert Easter Sr., along with longtime assistant Mike Stafford in his home of Toledo, Ohio. 

"Most importantly, me and my dad have been getting back on track," Easter said. "We had a little break after the last fight but now we've both got our timing down and [are] ready for [Saturday]. I train for every fight like it's a big fight. This time, it really is a big fight. I train hard for every fight, no exceptions."

The wiry and 5-foot-11 Easter said he has worked on strength for this camp and building up his body even more after being handled so easily by Garcia. He'll be facing a fighter in Barthelemy, a native of Cuba, who is moving down from 140 pounds after a failed run at a world title in a third division. 

Barthelemy, 32, who has won titles at 130 and 135 pounds, moved up to junior welterweight in 2017 for a pair of fights against Kyril Relikh. In a close fight, Barthelemy won their first meeting in a unanimous decision many observers felt he didn't deserve. Ten months later, Relikh delivered sound revenge by handling Barthelemy with ease in their rematch to claim a vacant world title. 

"The key thing for me to get back to the top, is to get back to my roots," Barthelemy said. "It's about using what made me a champion and getting back to that. We've gone back to our Cuban roots in training with Joel Casamayor and left any distractions behind. You'll see all of that in my performance on Saturday night."

Barthelemy was largely dismissive about the skills that Easter brings to the table but said if the fight should get hairy, he's not afraid to slug it out with his opponent to make a statement. 

"Easter and myself are both on the road to redemption coming off of our first defeats. I expect the same Robert Easter Jr. that I've seen on tape. He comes forward and tries to fight it out. There's nothing overly impressive about him to me.

"I'm ready for whatever Robert Easter Jr. wants. If he wants a war, we'll have a war. Everyone knows I've never backed down, but I'm going to win this fight with the intelligence that made me a world champion."

Easter believes the key to victory comes down to whether he can dictate the pace. 

"I expect Rances to come out and fight," Easter said. "He's an awkward, crafty fighter who likes to put up a fight. It's not really about what I expect from him though, it's about what I'm going to do in there. It's going to be my tempo. If I don't get the knockout, I'm going to beat him down for 12 rounds."