Tag Archives: Yvon Michel

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DOOLY’S 2020 BOXING SERIES AT CABARET OF THE MONTREAL CASINO A PRESENTATION OF MISE-O-JEU IN ASSOCIATION WITH VIDEOTRON

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KIM CLAVEL VS. ESMERALDA MORENO

SEASON TICKETS AVAILABLE

Montreal (February 12, 2020) – Dooly’s Boxing Series, presented by Mise-O-Jeu, in association with Videotron, is back at the Cabaret du Casino de Montréal in 2020 with five entertaining events on March 21, May 2, June 6, October 24 and December 12.

North American Boxing Federation (NABF) light flyweight champion Kim Clavel (11-0, 2 KOs) will be the main star of this series, and on March 21 she will make her Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) debut. Clavel will defend her title in the 10-round main event against her Mexican challenger, former world champion Esmeralda Moreno (35-12-2, 11 KOs).

Moreno is a two-time World Boxing Council (WBC) flyweight World champion, reigning from 2012-2013 and again in 2017.  She is 3-4-1 in world championship fights and currently ranked at No. 2 according to the independent website BoxRec.com. The charismatic Clavel will face the toughest test of her pro career in her GYM debut.

“Kim Clavel and her team are tremendously ambitious and confident by accepting this challenge,” GYM president Yvon Michel said. “Moreno is part of the elite fighters in her division, holding WBC champion Yesenia Gomez to a draw and losing to a majority decision in a pair of 2018 clashes. After March 21, we will know where Kim rates among the brightest prospects in her division. “

A very well-known and popular figure at the Casino de Montréal, undefeated light heavyeight Terry Osias (9-0, 4 KOs) of Longueuil, will be in his 10th pro fight, all held at the Casino de Montréal, which is a unique phenomenon in Quebec. His opponent will be former Bolivia National Champion Javier Saucedo (7-3-1, 6 KOs) in an 8-round bout.

Welterweight Marie-Pier Houle (2-0-1, 1 KO) of Terrebonne, will be in her first career 6-round fight, against Mexican Claudia Rangel(2-2, 0 KOs). Marie-Pier fought a furious fight against Linda Dostalkova at the Videotron Centre in her last outing, which ended in a draw.

This Casino event will mark the start of an association with Ontario promoter Lee Baxter. For the entire 2020 series at the Casino de Montréal, GYM and Lee Baxter Promotions will be co-promoters of popular Montreal prospect Mazlum Akdeniz (11-0, 6 KOs). The light welterweight Quebecer will not be in unknown territory since he has already fought six fights on GYM cards. His opponent in the 8-round match is left-hander Lavisas Williams (9-1-1, 3 KOs) of from Rochester NY.

In other bouts, Ontario light heavyweight Kane Heron (16-0-1, 7 KOs) will face Alejandre Meneses (12-4, 6 KOs) in an 8-rounder. Light heavyweight Simon Pierre Adde (7-1, 3KO), a Frenchman who lives in Los Angeles, will meet undefeated Italian Stivven Dredhaj (5-0, 2 KOs) in a 6-round fight. In a pair of 4-round confrontation the Stéphane Larouche protégé, super lightweight Abed El-Safadi (3-0, 0 KOs) will tangle with Jakub Laskowski (1-0-1, 1 KO) of Poland, and a show opener for Diizon Belfon (2-0, 2 KOs) of LaSalle, an associate of the famed Grant brothers, who will try for another knockout against his Greek foe, Alexandros Kirsanidis (1-0, 1 KO).

All this action will take place in the warm and unique atmosphere of the prestigious Cabaret of the Casino de Montréal, where the proximity of the ring and the fighters provides a perspective and sensations that are found nowhere else. The fights will start at noon, so it’s a good opportunity to come have lunch with us, while watching spectacular and emotional fights on the first day of spring.

Tickets are available now on Ticketmaster.ca, 514-790-1245 / 1-855-790-1245 starting at $ 70.50 or directly at the Casino de Montréal box office. Season tickets or tables for the five events are available to a 10-percent discount by directly contacting Groupe Yvon Michel at 514.383.0666, extension 5.

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Promoter Yvon Michel sets record straight about Cancelled Beterbiev-Barrera IBF title eliminator

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Nobody wants to fight undefeated light heavyweight contender Artur Beterbiev (R)
(Photo by Vincent Ethier)
MONTREAL (March 13, 2017 – Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) president Yvon Michel has responded accordingly to unfounded allegations recently made in the media by Sullivan Barrera about GYM and its undefeated world light heavyweight contender, Artur Beterbiev, to set the record straight regarding the recently announced cancelled Beterbiev-Barrera International Boxing Federation (IBF) light heavyweight title eliminator.
“Despite Barrera’s claims,” Michel insisted, “he didn’t sign a contract because he never intended for fight Artur.  In Team Barrera’s letter, he lied and showed his ignorance trying to distract from the facts.
“For the conclusion of this unfortunate saga, the IBF has informed me that it has ruled to ban Barrera from its world rankings, or from participating in one of its sanctioned fights, for the next six months.  I’ve also been informed that, if nobody in the IBF top 10 is available and agrees to fight Artur, the IBF will declare him as its No. 1 mandatory challenger for the winner of the Ward-Kovalev rematch.  Artur will be back in the ring in late April, early May. The mandatory defense for the Ward-Kovalev II winner, or Ward if that fight doesn’t happen, is due in September.”
IBF Light Heavyweight Ratings: Champion – Andre Ward, 1. Unrated, 2. Artur Beterbiev, 3. Sergey Kovalev, 4. Erik Skoglund, 5. Enrico Kolling, 6. SUSPENDED, 7. Oleksandr Gvozdyk, 8. Dominic Bosel , 9. Robert Stieglitz, 10. Trent Broadhurst.
Below, Michel sets the record straight, point-by-point, in terms of the open letter Team Barrera sent to the media.
Michel didn’t negotiate with Barrera’s promoter, Kathy Duva, and asked for it to go to an immediate purse bid.
“Kathy Duva (CEO/Main Events) came to my office the day before the deadline set for Barrera’s acceptance to participate in the IBF title eliminator to speak about the situation.  Our hope was to fight Barrera but because he is prohibited from traveling to Canada, I confirmed our intention with Ms. Duva to accommodate Barrera and leave Canada and make the fight in the United States.  We were in the same position a year ago, when Barrera pulled out of the same title eliminator because he couldn’t get a visa to fight in Canada.   Artur was then supposed to fight Karo Murat, but he suffered an injury and was unable to fight.  Barrera later defeated Murat to move into the IBF mandatory position in which he then lost to Andre Ward.
“Kathy told me the number she had in mind to make the fight.  I said that I would see if there were enough resources for that amount and promised to call her the following day.  I did and explained that there weren’t enough resources to meet that purse structure.  Nevertheless, not long after I received confirmation Barrera was officially taking the challenge, I then decided to move forward and immediately requested a purse bid date, which is the prerogative of any promoter, knowing what was Main Events’ expectation in terms of their fighter’s purse. In this business, everybody knows the best way to determine the true market value of a fight is a purse bid, where promoters are evaluating their resources and making their bid accordingly. We still had still seven days to make an offer, one and other, and make a deal up to five minutes before the bid was due. Main Events never made us an offer and neither did we.”
GYM’s winning purse bid was $251,000, substantially more than Main Events’ bid of $182,000, of which Beterbiev would receive 75-percent of the winning bid.  Barrera would have received $62,750, compared to $45,500 he would have earned if his own promoter had won the bid.
Beterbiev reported on social media that his fight versus Barrera would be held March 4th in Brooklyn, New York and Michel reported that the fight would be held in late March, early April, in New York.  Barrera had trained for those dates but didn’t receive a contract.
 
“GYM won the purse and pursuant to IBF rules and regulations, the fight had to be held within 30 to 90 days,” Michel continued.  “We deposited $50,000, per IBF rules, and received a confirmation letter from the IBF all was conform.  As per IBF regulations, within 15 days after the purse bid, we filed contracts for the two fighters.  Artur signed his five minutes after he received the contract and it was then sent to the IBF.  We executed Barrera’s contract, sending it to Main Events for Barrera with a copy sent to the IBF. Soon after I received notice from the IBF that everything was in order and that we had complied with the IBF requirements.”
Michel sent an improper agreement to Main Event listing various dates.
 
“We knew we had a PBC date, either April 14, 21 or 29.  It’s very common for fight dates written in the initial fighter contract to vary one week before or after the date listed.  I contacted IBF president Daryl Peoples and said April 21st was the most likely date but that it could end up being a week earlier or after.  He recommended to be transparent and  to write all three potential dates into the contract. We did and then sent it to Main Events for Barrera to sign.  Main Events noted that IBF rules said only one date and site could be written in the contract.  Daryl complied with the objection so we then officially confirmed April 21st would be the date of the fight and Florida the site.  We then sent a GYM executed corrected IBF bout agreement back to Main Events to be signed by Barrera and filed with the IBF on February 16th.
“Meanwhile, GYM received a request, from Main Event to produce a Provision of Service agreement for Barrera’s participation. GYM was not obliged to positively fulfill that request but, as a display of good faith, we did so in belief the contract that Barrera would sign and Main Events would file it at the IBF office, on that date, as per its rules. Soon after, GYM received a letter from IBF championship chairman, Mr. Lindsey Tucker, that all requirements had been fulfilled to officially sanction the bout.”
The Florida location for the fight had been selected by GYM for three reasons. 1. Beating Barrera in his own backyard would send strong message for Beterbiev within the division; 2. GYM had received an offer from Miami-based SMY Sports and Entertainment’s president M. Eric Senecal, who wanted the buy the rights to produce the event; 3. GYM’S longtime and very close relationship with Florida-based Warriors Promotions, Mr. Leon Margules.
On behalf of GYM, Margules had reserved the April 21st date with the Florida Athletic Commission.  SMY Sports & Entertainments made a deal with GYM that had a deadline to deposit the agreed upon money guarantee. They had reserved the Seminole Hard Rock arena in Fort Lauderdale. If SMY was not able to deliver money and site, GYM had a backup plan, proposed by Margules, who had a deal and a site on hold, Hialeah Racetrack in nearby Hollywood (FL). No matter what would transpire, the fight was guaranteed at a site in Florida, April 21st for a PBC event to be televised on FS1.
Barrera’s manager was contacted by one of the promoters to help pay Yvon Michel and finance the bout.
 
“This is a tortuous claim and a terrible lie,” Michel said.  “Nobody representing GYM ever made that kind of request.  The truth is a local promoter, M. Michael Luzbet, whom I’d never met and never made any deals of any sorts with in the past, wanted to be a partner with SMY Sports and Entertainments. He tried to raise his share of money to participate but SMY rapidly disassociated themselves from Michael Luzbet.
“How the group (SMY) was raising money wasn’t really my concern, but they had found sponsors and were counting on the important Quebec community residing in Florida at that time of the year, as well as the important Cuban population and their contacts with the Russian community, to sell VIP tables and tickets.  It wanted the rights to put the show on in Florida but they were concerned because they had heard a rumor that Barrera hadn’t signed a contract and he was going to pull out of the fight.
They then requested a guarantee that Barrera (who lives in Miami) was going to fight before confirming their money deposit. I was in Quebec City at that time for the Alvarez-Bute fight.  Mr. Lindsey Tucker was there representing the IBF and I spoke to him.  He said he believed the IBF had received a signed contract from Barrera.  I contacted SYM to say everything was fine and that I had requested a copy (of the Barrera-signed contract) from Lindsey.  Daryl People then informed me that there was a misunderstanding and they did not have a signed contract from Barrera.  It is only then I realized Main Events had pressured Barrera to sign the agreement without success. We asked the IBF president to pressure Main Events to have Barrera sign the contract because, without it, we were jammed in the promotion of the event. This is exactly what happened.”
Team Barrera implied that Yvon Michel couldn’t promote a show of this magnitude in the U.S.
 
“I’ve promoted more than 200 shows, never defaulting or cancelling a single show, including  involvement in more than 50 world championship fights and many multi-million dollars events, much bigger than this title eliminator.  This statement just shows his ignorance about what we’re all about and who we are and was just smoke screen to his behavior.  I’ve promoted shows with the majority of the major promoters in the world; DiBella Entertainment, Warriors Promotions, Don King Promotions, Golden Boy, Main Events… just about everybody. It was unbelievable for them to write such an impertinent line.”
Team Barrera unjustly belittled the quality of Beterbiev’s last two opponents, calling them cow farmers from Argentina.
 
“This is terrible to be so insolent to fellow world contenders. Both fighters were world ranked in the top 15 at that time. (Ezequiel Osvaldo) Maderna (23-2, 16 KOs) had never been knocked out and (Isidro) Prieto (26-1-3, 22 KOs) had suffered only one loss, a decision to the WBC #1 contender Eleider Alvarez.  Beterbiev knocked them both out (Maderna in the fourth round, Prieto in the first), so downgrading the quality of Artur’s 2016 opponents was totally unwarranted.  If Barrera ever actually got into the ring with Beterbiev, he would have fallen into the same category as Maderna and Prieto, who were both fierce competitors but not in the same league of Beterbiev.”
Michel firmly believes Barrera never intended to fight Beterbiev for his share of the purse bid and, to cover up, he tried to place the blame on others. His promoter spent time and money for the bid at the request of its fighter, Barrera, believing he had a legitimate chance of winning the fight. It is obvious that sentiment was not shared by Barrera, even if the fight was to be held in his own backyard in Florida.
“The truth of this matter is that Barrera lied to distract media attention from the fact he didn’t sign a contract and clearly wanted no part of Beterbiev,” Michel concluded.  “We don’t disrespect any contender who prefers not to challenge Artur Beterbiev for the mandatory position. We also believed that Main Events did everything in its power to convince their fighter to keep his words and to go forward with the fight. Main Events is not at blame. We also have respect for Barrera’s fighting abilities but we have no respect for the person Barrera is with his despicable, unprofessional, shameful and disgraceful attitude in handling the present situation.
“On a personal note, I have never met Sullivan Barrera. I never had to directly communicate with him, I never had to do business with him, everything went through his promoter, Main Events, and I really don’t envy them! Soon, GYM will have two light heavyweight world champions and I can guarantee Barrera will never be in their plans.
“We’ve moved on from Sullivan Barrera to find an opponent who has the desire to step into the ring to fight Artur Beterbiev. While Barrera will still be suspended by the IBF, Beterbiev will be World Champion!”
Beterbiev, a two-time Russian Olympian, holds two amateur victories over his fellow countryman, Kovalev, the former world light heavyweight champion. Whether it’s Kovalev or Ward, Artur Beterbiev will be more than ready for the challenge to fight for the world light heavyweight championship this September.
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @yvonmichelgym, @ABeterbiev
Instagram: @YvonMichelGYM, @Groupeyvonmichel, @ArturBetebiev
ABOUT GROUPE YVON MICHEL (GYM):  Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) was founded in 2004 by Yvon Michel and his associates. The organization’s mission is the development of high-level boxers through coaching support and especially by competitive management. To achieve its objectives, GYM actively recruits talent and organizes events and it is associated with the popular series, “Premier Boxing Champions (PBC),” and has developed major Videotron partnerships with Loto Quebec, TVA Sports, Centre Videotron, Casino de Montreal and Lac Leamy, Tonik GroupImage and Lapointe Dental Centre, in addition to collaborating closely with Rixa.
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“BUTE VS. ALVAREZ” Official Weights

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Live on PPV in North America tomorrow (Friday) night from Videotron Centre of Quebec City
(L-R) — Lucian Bute & Eleider Alvarez
(photo courtesy of Manny Montreal / The FightCity.com)


OFFICIAL WEIGHTS
WBC Silver Light Heavyweight Championship & Mandatory Title Eliminator (12 rounds)*
Eleider Alvarez (21-0, 10 KOs), Champion, Montreal, Quebec, Canada via Colombia 174.6 lbs.
Lucian Bute (32-3-1, 25 KOs), Challenger, Laval, Quebec, Canada via Romania 173.6 lbs.
Vacant WBU Heavyweight Championship (12 rounds)*
Eric Martel-Bahoeli (14-5-2, 8 KOs), Quebec City, Quebec, Canada 253.8 lbs.
Adam Braidwood (6-1, 5 KOs), Victoria, British Colombia, Canada 250.8 lbs.
Super Welterweights (8 rounds)*
Sebastien Bouchard (14-1, 5 KOs), Baie-Saint-Paul, Quebec, Canada (8) 149.6 lbs.
Gustavo Garibay (13-7-2, 5 KOs), Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico 150 lbs.
IBF International & Vacant NABO Middleweight Championships (10 rounds)*
Francis Lafreniere (14-5-2, 8 KOs), Champion, Coteau-du-Lac, Quebec, Canada 157.8 lbs.
Uriel “Big Bang” Gonzalez (15-1-1, 11 KOs), Challenger, Ciudad Juarez, Mexico 159.2 lbs.
Super Middleweights (8 rounds)
Dario Bredicean (11-0, 3 KOs), Montreal, Quebec, Canada 169.2 lbs.
Alejandro Torres (9-1-2, 4 KOs), Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico 165.4 lbs.
Super Middleweights (4 rounds)
Christian M’Billi (1-0, 1 KO), Montreal, Quebec, Canada via France 163.2 lbs.
Jesus Olivares (5-3, 3 KOs), Puebla, Mexico 168.2 lbs.
*Denotes PPV fight
 
WHAT: “BUTE VS. ALVAREZ”
WHEN:  Friday, February 24, 2017
WHERE:  Videotron Centre in Quebec City, Canada.
 
PROMOTER:  Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) and Gestev, presentation of Videotron and Mise-O-Jeu
HOW TO WATCH:  Integrated Sports Media will distribute in the United States, starting at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, on cable, satellite and internet pay-per-view via iN Demand, Vubiquity, DIRECTV, DISH and the FITE app for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.
In Canada, available to watch, in English or French, on Canal Indigo, Shaw TV and Bell TV; English-only on Rogers PPV, as well as in many of the top Canadian sports bars.
Outside of North America, “BUTE VS ALVAREZ” is being distributed by leading boxing television rights distribution firm, Protocol Sports Marketing Ltd.
TICKETS:  On sale and available to purchase by going on line to www.Videotron.centrequebeccity.cpm/tickets and www.Ticketmaster.ca
 
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @yvonmichelgym, @gestevinc, @IntegratedPPV  #ButeAlvarez
Follow these fighters on Twitter: @Stormalvarez, @Butelucian
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“BUTE VS. ALVAREZ” Press Conference Quotes 

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Live on PPV in North America this Friday night from Videotron Centre of Quebec City
(L-R) – Lucian Bute & Eleider Alvarez
MONTREAL (February 21, 2017) – The “BUTE VS ALVAREZ” press conference was held today in Quebec City for this Friday night’s championship fight between undefeated World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver light heavyweight champion Eleider “Storm” Alvarez and former super middleweight world champion Lucian Bute (32-3-1, 25 KOs) at Videotron Centre in Quebec City, Canada.
“BUTE VS. ALVAREZ”, promoted by Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) and Gestev, is a presentation of Videotron and Mise-O-Jeu,
Integrated Sports Media will distribute “BUTE VS. ALVAREZ” live in the United States, starting at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, on cable, satellite and internet pay-per-view via iN Demand, Vubiquity, DIRECTV, DISH and the FITE app for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.
In Canada, “BUTE VS. ALVAREZ” will be available to watch, in English or French, on Canal Indigo, Shaw TV and Bell TV; English-only on Rodgers PPV, as well as in many of the top Canadian sports bars.
Outside of North America, “BUTE VS ALVAREZ” is being distributed by leading boxing television rights distribution firm, Protocol Sports Marketing Ltd.
The 12-round Bute vs. Alvarez main event will also be the final WBC eliminator to determine the mandatory challenger for the winner’s GYM stablemate, reigning WBC and lineal light heavyweight champion Adonis “Superman” Stevenson (28-1-0, 23 KOs).
Tickets for “BUTE VS. ALVAREZ” are on sale and available to purchase by going on line to www.Videotron.centrequebeccity.cpm/tickets and www.Ticketmaster.ca
PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Lucian Bute: ”I am really, really confident going into this fight. I respect Alvarez; he is the WBC No. 1 ranked contender in the light heavyweight division. He is undefeated but my best moments as a professional boxer came here in Quebec City and I am sure it will be another one of those moments Friday night. And it will be a spectacular fight for the fans!”
 
Eleider Alvarez: ”I have to win for my future and for my family. I will give everything Friday night. My time has come and I will make the best of it.”
 
Yvon Michel, promoter of show and both fighters: ”It is going to be an exciting fight and card. Eleider Alvarez said that he is ready to die in the ring and he means it. Lucian also is ready to do whatever it takes to win Friday. We have two fighters, two true competitors, who will give everything and leave everything in the ring Friday.”
 
Howard Grant, Bute’s trainer: ”Lucian had the best camp of his career. He had more energy in this camp than in the ones for James DeGale and Badou Jack. He had good sparring also and he will be ready Friday night.”
 
Marc Ramsay, Alvarez trainer: ”This is the third time in his career that Alvarez has been called out after a sparring session. First it was Andrew Gardiner…and he was stunned by Eleider in the ninth round of the fight. He was never the same after that, got knocked out by an unknown fighter, and retired. Than it was Nicholson Poulard. He was KO’ed in the third round and he retired after that. Lucian asked Eleider for a fight after seeing a sparring between Alvarez and a fighter from the Grant Brothers Gym. He intends to deliver the goods Friday. They asked for Alvarez, they will have Alvarez.”
 
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @yvonmichelgym, @gestevinc, @IntegratedPPV  #ButeAlvarez
Follow these fighters on Twitter: @Stormalvarez, @Butelucian
boxing

Internationally-flavored Full Card Announced for BUTE VS. ALVAREZ

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Internationally-flavored
Full Card Announced
 
“BUTE VS. ALVAREZ”
Live on PPV in North America
This Friday night at Videotron Centre of Quebec City
MONTREAL (February 20, 2017) – A full card with an international flavor, from top to bottom, has been announced for this Friday (Feb. 24) night’s “BUTE VS ALVAREZ” major event at Videotron Centre in Quebec City, Canada.
World Boxing Council (WBC) light heavyweight champion Eleider “Storm” Alvarez (21-0, 10 KOs), defends his title against former world super middleweight champion Lucian Bute (32-3-1, 25 KOs) in the 12-round main event that also serves as the final WBC eliminator to determine the mandatory challenger for WBC and lineal light heavyweight champion Adonis “Superman” Stevenson (28-1-0, 23 KOs).  Alvarez, who lives in Montreal, was a Colombian Olympian and Laval, Canada resident Bute is a native of Romania. Stevenson, Alvarez and Bute are all promoted by GYM.
”This is an excellent overall boxing event and the result will have a significant impact on the career of all participants,” said the President of GYM, Yvon Michel.
“The Martel-Braidwood WBU heavyweight title fight has all the ingredients to be a barnburner, while the NABO middleweight fight may prove that Lafreniere deserve to be named, ‘The people champ’ because of his relentless attack style.  Bute and Alvarez in the main event are putting their future on the line with this the most significant light heavyweight fight so far in 2017. The real winners are going to be the boxing fans, who appreciate the evenly matched fights and fighters ready to leave it all in the ring!”
Promoted by Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) and Gestev, “BUTE VS ALVAREZ” is a presentation of Videotron and Mise-O-Jeu, at Videotron Centre in Quebec City, Canada.
Integrated Sports Media will distribute “BUTE VS. ALVAREZ” live in the United States, starting at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, on cable, satellite and internet pay-per-view via iN Demand, Vubiquity, DIRECTV, DISH and the FITE app for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.
In Canada, “BUTE VS. ALVAREZ” will be available to watch, in English or French, on Canal Indigo, Shaw TV and Bell TV; English-only on Rodgers PPV, as well as in many of the top Canadian sports bars.
Outside of North America, “BUTE VS ALVAREZ” is being distributed by leading boxing television rights distribution firm, Protocol Sports Marketing Ltd.
In the 12-round co-feature, Canadian heavyweights Eric “The Hammer” Martel-Bahoeli (14-5-2, 8 KOs) and Adam “The Bogeyman” Braidwood (6-1, 5 KOs) will battle for the vacant World Boxing Union (WBU) title.  A former Commonwealth & Canadian title challenger, Martel-Bahieli will be fighting at home in Quebec City.  Braidwood, fighting out of British Colombian, is a former football player for Washington State University and in the Canadian Football League (CFL).
Popular Quebec super welterweight Sebastian Bouchard, a 2007 Canadian Championships silver medalist, takes on Mexican super welterweight champion Gustavo “Vitaminas” Garibay (13-7-2, 5 KOs) in an eight-round non-title fight.
International Boxing Federation (IBF) middleweight champion Francis Lafreniere (14-5-2, 8 KOs), also fighting out of Quebec, defends his 10-round bout against Mexican knockout artist Uriel “Big Bang” Gonzalez (15-1-1, 11 KOs).  The vacant North American Boxing Organization (NABO) championship will also be the line for the Lefreniere vs. Willis confrontation.
In a pair of off-PPV fights, undefeated Montreal super middleweight Dario Bredidean (11-0, 3 KOs) faces Mexican invader Alejandro Torres (9-1-2, 4 KOs) in an eight-round match, while 2016 France Olympian Christian “Le Solide” M’Billi (1-0, 1 KO) is showcased in a four-round fight against Mexican super middleweight Jesus Olivares (5-3, 3 KOs).
Tickets for “BUTE VS. ALVAREZ” are on sale and available to purchase by going on line to www.Videotron.centrequebeccity.cpm/tickets and www.Ticketmaster.ca
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @yvonmichelgym, @gestevinc, @IntegratedPPV  #ButeAlvarez
Follow these fighters on Twitter: @Stormalvarez, @Butelucian
boxing

Artur Beterbiev vs. Sullivan Barrera IBF LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT ELIMINATION BOUT April 21 in MIAMI

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MONTRÉAL (February 17, 2017)– It’s official: Montreal’s Artur Beterbiev(IBF #2 – 11-0-0, 11 KOs) will be in the most important fight of his career, against Cuban-born Sullivan Barrera(IBF #7 – 18-1-0, 13 KOs), for the mandatory challenger position for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) light heayvweight world title, held by American Andre Ward (31-0-0, 15 KOs). The Beterbiev vs. Barrera clash will take place April 21 in Miami, Florida.
 
“It is with great pride and confidence that we go into this fight in Miami,” Beterbiev’s promoter Yvon Michel(Groupe Yvon Michel).  “In order for Beterbiev to receive maximum credibility, he needs to demonstrate that he can perform anywhere in the world.  Because Sullivan Barrera, the only top-rated contender to accept the challenge to face Artur, could not cross the Canadian border, we agreed to have this fight take place in the United States.
 
“We are convinced that the many Quebecers who still live in Florida, at this time, will come to support Artur, who has made Quebec the adopted home for him and his young family.”
 
The Beterbiev-Barrera winner will become the mandatory challenger for the IBF light heavyweight champion, who will have until September, at the latest, to face the winner.]GYM won the IBF-ordered purse bid Feb. 2 (2017), winning with a $201,000 (USD) bid to $181,000 for Barrera’s promoter, Main Events. Due to the 75-25 percentage advantage going to the highest ranked fighter, Beterview will earn $188,250 to $62,750 for Barrera.
Ward won the IBF, WBA and WBO light heavyweight titles with a 12-round unanimous decision win over Sergey Kovalev, November 19, 2017, in Las Vegas.
Beterbiev was impressive in his most recent outing, last December 23 at the Lac Leamy Casino in Gatineau, stopping Paraguayan slugger Isidro Ranoni Prieto (26-1-3) in opening round (2:44).

Barrera also displayed tremendous skills during his most recent performance, this poast Dec. 16 in California, shattering the previously undefeated Vyacheslav Shabrankyy (17-0-0), of Ukraine, with a spectacular TKO victory in the seventh round.
More details about Beterbiev vs. Barrera will be announced in the coming days.
boxing

CLASH OF TITANS! Lucian Bute vs. Eleider Alvarez Feb. 24 at Videotron Centre of Quebec City

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lucian Bute

MONTRÉAL (December 12, 2016) – Group Yvon Michel (GYM) and Gestev are very happy to confirm the Clash of Titans mega-event as former International Boxing Federation (IBF) super middleweight world champion Lucian Bute (32-3-1, 25 KOs) will face World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver light heavyweight champion Eleider “Storm” Alvarez (20-0, 10 KOs), Friday, February 24, in a 12-round light heavyweight bout at Vidéotron Centre of Québec City.
 
This event is a presentation of Vidéotron, in association with Mise-O-Jeu.
 

Eleider Alvarez
 
Alvarez will put his WBC mandatory challenger position to champion Adonis“Superman” Stevenson (28-1, 23 KOs) in danger with an end of April date for this world title fight having already been reserved.
Bute has also set his goal to challenge Stevenson.  The veteran southpaw plans to clearly demonstrate that he deserves another wotld title shot, taking on the No. 1 conternder in undefeated Alvarez. Whatever the final outcome, the winner will be the most popular and legitimate challenger for Stevenson, dramatically increasing interest and notoriety of a totally Québécois world championship showdown.
 
All the ingredients are gathered to heighten popular interest in this fight, which will prove to be one of the most significant in the history of Quebec.
 
It is a local confrontation between two athletes who chose Quebec as their adopted home, fully integrating in the loal culture and learning French, as well as where they’ve fought the vast majority of their bouts. The result of this major clash will also have enormous repercussions at the international level in the light heavyweight division.
 
In one corner is former world champion Bute, who has delivered many inspirational performances during his 13 world championship fights (10-2-1, 8 KOs) to become a great star and admired celebrity in Quebec.
 
The other corner finds unbeaten Alvarez, a world-class fighter for the past three years who has delivered his most brilliant performances abroad, albeit mostly in the shadows of other great stars of Quebec.  The former Colombian Olympian wants to establish his true value after having prepared for Stevenson by fighting opponents for more than the past year.  He will earn his highest purse, which is similar to what he would have received to fight Stevenson first.
 
“It is the fans of Quebec in their entirety who will first be delighted with this mega fight and I am convinced that there will be no losers,” GYM president Yvon Michel said. “Although it is difficult to predict the outcome of this confrontation, most likely this fight will be so interesting and close that, eventually the two could get, one after the other, a world championship fight against the powerful southpaw champion of Montreal, Adonis Stevenson.”
 
“It was important for us to have this fight at the Vidéotron Centre,” added Vice-President Shows & Creative Content of Québecor, Michel Granger. “The last time (the Stevenson-Williams fight) was a success and it will be the same on February 24.”
 

“The last six months have been tough for me,” Bute explained. “After the Washington situation was settled, I was happy to finally sit down and discuss my next fight. I accepted as soon as I was offered the fight. We’re talking about an undefeated guy ranked number 1 by the WBC. It’s quite a challenge. I tip my hat to Alvarez for putting his position in peril.
 
“I was expecting the winner of the unification title fight between James Dégale and Badou Jack, but I had no guarantees and I could not afford to wait. My goal is to fight again for a world championship, whether it’s at 168 or 175 pounds, and I did not want to just take a meaningless preparatory fight.
 
 
“After evaluating all the options, we came to the conclusion that we had to take this fight,” Alvarez’ head trainer Marc Ramsey remarked. “Of course, there are risks … but it’s worth it. Eleider has long awaited an opportunity to box against someone recognized in Quebec, and people have not yet seen his full potential. He was all smiles when he received the offer.”.
 
“When Marc called me into his office,” Alvarez commented, “I was wondering what was going on. Generally, when he calls me into his office, it’s not good news. He asked me to sit down and if I wanted to face Bute. I smiled and said, yes. He is the most popular boxer in Quebec, so my motivation will be different. I’m doing this for myself and my family. I want to be world champion and now it’s going through Lucian. I’ve been looking a long time for a big fight like this and for the first time I will be the headliner.”
 
Tickets went on sale today (Monday, Dec. 12) on the Websites of Vidéotron Centre, Evenko and on Ticketmaster.ca
ABOUT GROUPE YVON MICHEL (GYM):


Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) was founded in 2004 by Yvon Michel and his associates. The organization’s mission is the development of high-level boxers through coaching support and especially by competitive management. To achieve its objectives, GYM actively recruits talent and organizes events and it is associated with the popular series, “Premier Boxing Champions (PBC),” and has developed major Videotron partnerships with Loto Quebec, TVA Sports, Centre Videotron, Casino de Montreal and Lac Leamy, Tonik GroupImage and Lapointe Dental Centre, in addition to collaborating closely with Rixa Promotions.
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ARTUR BETERBIEV TO FACE ISIDRO PRIETO DECEMBER 23  AT THE CASINO DU LAC LEAMY, GATINEAU

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A TRUE CHRISTMAS GIFT
MONTRÉAL (September 29, 2016) – Ottawa and Outaouais boxing fans in Canada will receive a special Christmas gift when Montreal’s adopted son and the most dangerous world title challenger, Artur Beterbiev (10-0, 10 KOs), faces Paraguay slugger and reigning WBC Latino light heavyweight champion Isidro Ranoni Prieto (26-1-3, 22 KOs) in a real power punching affair, December 23 in Gatineau as part of the GYM Boxing Series, presented by the Casino de Lac Leamy in collaboration with Videotron.
Beterbiev is world ranked by all over the major sanctioning bodies: International Boxing Federation (IBF) #2, World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Association (WBA) #3, World Boxing Organization (WBO) #4, and The Ring magazine #6.
WBO #10 rated contender Prieto has won his last two fights by knockout, since losing by unanimous decision to Eleider Alvarez in a spectacular 12-round fight, in which he refused to give an inch to the WBC # 1 challenger on August 15, 2015 at the Bell Centre in Montreal.
Expect fireworks as the KO ratio for Beterbiev and Prieto is an incredible 80-percent.
“Despite the claims of some promoters and light heavyweight challengers,” Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM president Yvon Michel said, “it’s a fact that Artur Beterbiev is the most dangerous and biggest threat to all of the world light heavyweight champions All contenders for titles change their minds when it comes to getting in the same ring with him,” said the president of GYM, Yvon Michel.
“Isidro Prieto is a fierce fighter who accepted the challenge, also believing he has the style to repel even the most courageous boxer. He is determined to make a name for himself December 23rd. We certainly admire his determination.”
 
Artur Beterbiev
Beterbiev is a bright GYM prospect. A true jewel, the Chechen fighter brutalized the international amateur scene.
The ferocious Beterbiev represented Russia in two Olympic Games in Beijing and London. He also won a gold and silver medals at the prestigious World Amateur Championships, as well as gold medals in numerous amateur tournaments including the Wold Cup and European Championships.
In 2010, the International Boxing Association (AIBA) named him its Boxer of the Year, as the best pound-for-pound amateur fighter in the world. He also defeated current WBO light-heavyweight world champion Sergey Kovalev in the amateurs.
The gladiator from Daghestan left behind family and friends to fulfill his dream of becoming a professional world champion.
“He has all the qualities required to become world champion,” highly regarded strength-and-conditioning coach Andre Kulesza said of Beterbiev when he first signed a promotional contract with GYM. “He is healthy and always positive. He is highest level of athlete who I have ever had the chance to work with in Montreal. He has a superior genetically than anybody I ever work with and that’s really saying something! Artur is naturally strong, agile and flexible. He will go up very quickly and destroy his rivals. Expect lots of KOs,”
As a professional, Beterbiev has destroyed every opponent he’s faced. In only his sixth fight, he crushed former IBF champion Tavoris Cloud in less than two rounds to capture the NABA strap.
In his Showtime debut, Beterbiev stopped previously undefeated Jeff Page Jr. second round. Spaniard southpaw Gabriel Campillo was next in line, in an IBF eliminator bout for the IBF #2 world ranking, which was televised in the first Premier Boxing Champions show, live on CBS. Campillo, a former WBA champion, was dropped and then viciously knocked out in the fourth round.
Beterbiev knocked out American southpaw Alexander Johnson in the seventh round, live on Spike TV, June 12, 2015 in Chicago.
After a one-year absence due to a shoulder injury, Beterbiev climbed back in the ring, his first main PBC main event broadcasted on ESPN this past June 4 at the Bell Centre against Argentine Olympian Ezequiel Maderna, who failed to get through the fourth round.
Highly ranked by all the sanctioning bodies despite having only 10 pro fights, Beterbiev has opened eyes all around the boxing world, and the scariest part is that it is only the beginning for him.
“I’m really happy with the turn of events,” Beterbiev remarked. During his time in Montreal Prieto has shown that he is a true warrior and that’s the kind of opponent I want to face. “
“With his WBO #10 ranking, “Beterbiev’s trainer Marc Ramsay noted, “Prieto is by far the best fighter available to fight Artur. He is very aggressive and his style insures a fight filled with action. “
Isidro “El Guerrero” Prieto
Prieto has dreamed of becoming the first Paraguayan world boxing champion.

After winning his first six pro fights and the Paraguay national title, he resettled in Argentina in 2009 to continue his development.  In Buenos Aires, Prieto was taken under the wing of the first coach, Raul Paniagua, mentor and uncle of former world championSergio “Maravilla” Martinez.

“We have always encouraged each other, me and Sergio,” Prieto said in an interview with a South American website. “He started from the bottom and that is why we have so many things in common.”

Currently ranked # 10 by the WBO, “El Guerrero” has wiped out South American competition, knocking out most of his rivals, including Brazilian brawler Jackson Junior.
His lone defeat was to WBC Silver champion Alvarez, and since then Prieto has won two bouts, both by knockout.  Slick and freakishly strong with heavy hands, Prieto is a serious threat.
“I’ve worked in various places but the Casino du Lac Leamy is one of the places I love the most, ” added Éric Bélanger, trainer and organizer of events in the Gatineau and Ottawa region “It’s beautiful and prestigious; intimate but the atmosphere is amazing. Everyone connects and is part of the show. Gatineau also has a fan base that loves boxing. With Artur Beterbiev, it will be a major league boxing card, and I am sure that the region will be happy to be part of it.”
Ticket information will soon be announced
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LUCIAN BUTE VICTIM OF CONTAMINATED SUPPLEMENT MADE BY PHARMAGENIC

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MONTRÉAL (August 12, 2016) – Former world champion Lucian Bute  learned late yesterday afternoon that the test of his “B” sample was positive, as was his “A” sample, which was no surprise and these findings were welcomed by Lucian and his team.
 
When the initial announcement of the positive result revealed Ostarine, Lucian didn’t understand what could have happened, hence his disbelief of the situation yet hope regarding test results of his sample “B”. At that time it was announced extensive research would be conducted to find out what really happened. Today, more than ever, Lucian says he never knowingly used illegal products during his illustrious career in professional boxing. 
 
To assist in his search for truth, Lucian retained the services of a Los Angles-based lawyer, Howard Jacobs, who requested all nutritious supplement products used by Bute during in his training camp for the fight against Badou Jack.
 
KorvalLabs, an accredited laboratory in California specializing in sport, was  mandated to carry out all of the analyzes, and results were obtained Monday.
However, analysis of a product named Dynamita recovery, made by Pharmageniclaboratory in San Diego, California, contained traces of contamination, Ostarine.
 
The supplement formula prescribed by physical trainer Angel Heredia (see photos) had to be perfectly free of all illegal substances in its composition, meaning, unfortunately, it had been contaminated during preparation of this supplement at the Pharmageniclaboratory.
 
         

               

Responsibility for the detection of Ostarine in Bute’s tests was totally up to Pharmagenic laboratory in San Diego. Bute and his lawyer intend to pursue legal proceedings against the laboratory that has caused irreparable harm to the integrity and reputation of the former IBF super middleweight champion.
 
Details of the investigation were forwarded to the athletic commission in Washington DC, which will therefore be inviting Bute to enable representations and explanations of what happened before it takes a decision.
 
Meanwhile, Lucian Bute is in training at the gym of the Grant brothers regularly, does not put his career in question and is determined to take all means to become world champion in his division once the details of this case are fully set.
ABOUT GROUPE YVON MICHEL (GYM):  Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) was founded in 2004 by Yvon Michel and his associates. The organization’s mission is the development of high-level boxers through coaching support and especially by competitive management. To achieve its objectives, GYM actively recruits talent and organizes events. GYM is associated with the popular series, “Premier Boxing Champions (PBC),” and has developed major Videotron partnerships with Loto Quebec, TVA Sports, Centre Videotron, Casino de Montreal and Lac Leamy, Tonik GroupImage and Lapointe Dental Centre, in addition to collaborating closely with Rixa Promotions.
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Lucian Bute’s anti-doping test statement

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MONTRÉAL (May 26, 2016) – Lucian Bute was informed of the results of the anti-doping test done after his World Boxing Council (WBC) world title fight against Badou Jack, April 30, in Washington, D.C.
 
As reported in a statement sent by the WBC, the Washington D.C. Boxing and Wrestling Commission informed them that Bute tested positive for Ostarine, in an A sample analysis, after the bout.
 
”I am surprised and sorry about this. I don’t understand what led to this positive result, Bute said. “I have always passed every anti-doping test that I was asked to take since I won a world title. More recently for my fight against James DeGale, in Quebec City, last November, I was tested eight times from before my training camp until after my fight. I have never taken any illegal products. I have a complete trust in my team. There will be an analysis of the B sample and I am sure that this result will be negative.”
 
”GYM has always been strongly in favor of a strict anti-doping policy to keep the sport of boxing clean,” GYM president Yvon Michel remarked. “We are really surprised by this first result and we now hope that the B sample proves that the first result was wrong. Until then, we support Lucian Bute.”
 
There will be no further comments on this subject until the publication of Bute’s B sample result.