By Reynaldo Sanchez

MINNEAPOLIS, TARGET CENTER - Rances Barthelemy (20-0, 13KOs) captured the International Boxing Federation (IBF) super featherweight championship from Argenis Mendez (21-3-1, 11KOs) with a controversial second round knockout Friday at the Target Center arena. Barthelemy sent Mendez to the canvas late in the second round with two hard lefts. It was the first time champion Mendez had been knocked down in his career. Barthelemy then used another stinging left and a combination of punches, as the bell sounded to end the second round, which floored Mendez again.