Easter-Barthelemy official for April 27, WBA title on the line

Showtime’s April 27 card has been finalized and made official, and will be headlined by a lightweight fight between former titleholders Robert Easter Jr and Rances Barthelemy. The two will fight for the vacant WBA lightweight title. The card will be held at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas.

Easter (21-1, 14 KO) is coming off of his first pro loss, against Mikey Garcia last summer in Los Angeles. Barthelemy (27-1, 14 KO) has won belts at 130 and 135, and challenged for a 140-pound title last year, losing in a rematch against Kiryl Relikh. He returned in December, beating journeyman Robert Frankel.

“I’ve wanted to fight Barthelemy since he had the lightweight title and vacated it, and now I have the chance,” said Easter. “He has an awkward style and I’m up for that challenge. I am still coming in as the taller fighter with a reach advantage and I’ll use it to make this fight go how I want it to. He is a former world champion and he is coming to bring it just like I am.”

“I’m looking forward to a great fight against Robert Easter Jr,” said Barthelemy. “I know I have what it takes to beat him and capture another title and become a three-time world champ. My best performances have come at 135 pounds. Both of us are former world champions who are hungry and will give the fans a sensational night of boxing. I’ve never lost at lightweight and that will continue on April 27. Don’t miss this fight on Showtime. It’s now or never!”

The co-feature will see former 140-pound titleholder Viktor Postol (30-2, 12 KO) take on Mohamed Mimoune (21-2, 2 KO) in a WBC eliminator, with the winner in line for a shot at Jose Ramirez.

Postol went to the top of the division in 2015 when he stopped Lucas Matthysse, but nine months later was dominated by Terence Crawford in a title unification fight. He’s gone 2-1 since, beating a couple of lesser opponents and losing to Josh Taylor.

Mimoune beat Sam Eggington to win the European welterweight title in 2017, and has moved down in weight since then, going 2-0 at 140 in 2018.

The opener on the broadcast will see heavyweight prospect Efe Ajagba (9-0, 8 KO) return against Germany’s Michael Wallisch (19-1, 12 KO).

Ajagba last fought on March 9, stopping Amir Mansour after two rounds. Wallisch is coming off of a fifth round knockout loss to Christian Hammer.