Mendez, Barthelemy Make Weight For Title Fight Rematch

Argenis Mendez and Rances Barthelemy both made weight for their 130 lb. title fight rematch Thursday evening at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida.

Mendez came in at 129.8 lb, slightly lighter than Barthelemy, who tipped the scales right at the 130 lb. limit for their sequel, which airs live on Fox Sports 1. 

The bout serves as a rematch to their controversial clash this past January. Barthelemy was originally ruled a knockout winner in what was thought to be his first title-winning effort. However, the 2nd round stoppage ruling was overturned to a No-Decision later in the month following a successful appeal by Mendez on the basis that the knockout blow came after the bell to end round two. 

Prior to the ending, Barthelemy was effortlessly handling Mendez, including an official knockdown in round two. The action was brief, but long enough to convince oddsmakers to tab the unbeaten Cuban as a considerable favorite heading into Thursday's showdown.

Mendez attempts the third defense of the 130 lb. belt he acquired last March. The title-winning effort came in a 4th round knockout of Juan Carlos Salgado, avenging a split decision loss in their vacant title match 18 months prior.

The stoppage of Salgado serves as the only win for Mendez over the course of his title reign, which has now run 17 months. Prior to the knockout loss-turned-No-Decision, Mendez was held to a disputed 12-round draw versus Arash Usmanee last August. 

The 130 lb. title fight headlines a scheduled tripleheader to air on Fox Sports 1. In the co-feature, once-beaten light heavyweight Humberto Savigne (12-1, 9KOs) faces badly faded former super middleweight titlist Jeff Lacy. The telecast opens with blue chip prospect Erickson Lubin (5-0, 5KOs) in his first scheduled eight-round bout, as the 18-year old faces veteran Noe Bolanos. 

Weights for the supporting bouts have not yet been reported back to Boxingscene.com.