Robert Easter Jr. vs. Rances Barthelemy Averages 312,000 Viewers
The lightweight title bout between Robert Easter Jr. and Rances Barthelemy averaged slightly more than 300,000 viewers.
The fight, for the vacant WBA “Regular” lightweight title, headlined the April 27 Showtime-televised card from Las Vegas and averaged 312,000 viewers. The title bout also drew a 0.20 household rating and a 0.07 rating in the 18-49 demographic.
The latest viewership continues a trend of low viewership this year after the network were enjoying relatively high ratings and viewership in recent years. The last Showtime card that featured a title fight, the April 13 telecast that had Claressa Shields become the undisputed women’s middleweight champion, averaged 336,000 viewers and drew a 0.23 rating.
Easter and Barthelemy fought to a split draw which meant the WBA’s secondary world title at 135 pounds remains vacant. In the co-main event bout, Viktor Postol won a 10-round decision to win a title eliminator for the WBC junior welterweight championship being held by Jose Ramirez. The opening bout saw Efe Ajagba stop Michael Wallisch in the second round of their heavyweight fight.
The next Showtime-televised card that will take place on May 18 taking place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. In the main event, Deontay Wilder will defend his WBC heavyweight title against mandatory challenger Dominic Breazeale. In the co-feature bout, Gary Russell Jr. will defend his WBC featherweight title against Kiko Martinez.
