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GYM & Titov Promotions reach agreement Oscar Rivas-Evgeny Romanov WBC Bridgerweight World Championship purse bid avoided

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MONTREAL (February 15, 2022) – Today’s scheduled World Boxing Council (WBC) purse bid has been avoided as Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) announces an agreement has been reached with Titov Promotions, which promotes undefeated mandatory challenger Evgeny Romanov (16-0, 11 KOs), of Russia, for WBC Bridgerweight World Champion Oscar “Kaboom” Rivas’ first title defense.

Under this agreement, GYM obtained the rights to promote Rivas’ first WBC defense. “We are very happy with this outcome,” GYM President Yvon Michel said. “I would like to thank Mr. Alex Titov for his co-operation. We intend to hold this world championship in June, in Montreal or possibly in Colombia, where discussions are currently taking place. It was important for us that Oscar defends his crown in a familiar environment.”

Trained by Marc Ramsey, Rivas captured the WBC World title last October 22,winning a unanimous decision over Ryan Rozicki (13-1, 13 KOs) at the Olympia in Montreal.

Colombia-native Rivas, who represented his country at the 2008 Olympics, became the first WBC World Champion in the history of the Bridgerweight Division. Romanov, for his part, became the mandatory contender by virtue of his 12-round dominance over compatriot Dmitry Kudryashov (24-5, 23 KOs) last May in Khimki, Russia. Romanov had an excellent amateur career, even registering a knockout victory over Deontay Wilder, the future WBC World Heavyweight Champion, in an international tournament.

“I am happy to be able to defend my WBC bridgerweight belt in familiar terrain and quickly,” Rivas commented. “I intend to keep this belt for a long time. In addition, whether my promoter GYM has obtained the rights to promote in my adopted city, Montreal, or in my native country, Colombia, I feel confident and surrounded by the best. It helps me stay focused on my goals.”

ABOUT THE YVON MICHEL GROUP (GYM): Groupe Yvon Michel is a professional boxing promotion organization, founded in 2004 by Yvon Michel, Alexandra Croft and Bernard Barré, all still active within the company, which is the most prolific organization in the history of professional boxing in Canada. Since its founding GYM has organized 160 events in Quebec, participated in 37 international galas outside of Quebec. Seven boxers became world champions: Joachim Alcine, Jean Pascal, Adonis Stevenson, Artur Beterbiev, Eleider Alvarez, Marie-Eve Dicaire and Oscar Rivas. Seventeen of the organization’s boxers have fought in 51 world championship bouts with an excellent record of 27 wins, 22 losses and 2 draws. During this period major American television networks were more active than ever in coming to Quebec to broadcast GYM’s most important events. On 35 occasions major American networks presented a GYM event, an exceptional showcase of Quebec knowledge including HBO (8), Showtime (7), ESPN2 (10), Wealth TV (4), Spike TV (2), ESPN (3), CBS (1) and NBC Sports (1).

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NEW OPPONENT FOR INAUGURAL WBC BRIDGERWEIGHT WORLD TITLE FIGHT “THE CONQUEST: OSCAR RIVAS VS. RYAN ROZICKI

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NEW OPPONENT FOR
INAUGURAL WBC BRIDGERWEIGHT WORLD TITLE FIGHT  
 
“THE CONQUEST: OSCAR RIVAS VS. RYAN ROZICKI”

AT THE MONTREAL OLYMPIA ON OCTOBER 22ND

MONTREAL (October 6, 2021) — The inaugural World Boxing Council (WBC) Bridgerweight World Championship fight (under 224 lbs.) will take place on October 22nd, promoted by Groupe Yvon Groupe (GYM) in collaboration with Three Lions Promotions, and a presentation of Mise-O-Jeu, at the Montreal Olympia.
 
As recently announced by the WBC, No. 1 contender Oscar “Kaboom” Rivas (27-1, 19 KOs) will face Ryan “The Bruiser” Rozicki (13-0, 13 KOs) to headline “The Conquest” in the 12-round main event for the vacant WBC title.
 
Rozicki is a powerful, undefeated puncher who has won each of his thirteen professional fights by knockout. His record includes his win over Shawn Miller (18-4-1, 7 KO) in May 2019 for the WBC International Silver crown, as well as the defense of the same title in February 2020 against Vladimir Reznicek (9-2-2, 4 KOs).
 
By his uncompromising style, “Bruiser” became very popular especially in English-speaking Canada. “Rivas will be my toughest opponent yet,” Rozicki explained. “It’s everything I’ve dreamed of since I started boxing. Thanks to Yvon Michel and my promotional team for making this possible. On October 22nd, I will become world champion.”
 
In front of him stands an opponent who has been waiting for his chance for a long time, top contender Rivas, who easily disposed of Sylvera Louis (8-5, 4 KOs) by retirement after three rounds last March. Rivas, of course, was the victim of a very controversial defeat in July 2019 in England to Dillian Whyte (25-1), by way of a 12-round decision despite having sent him to the mat in the ninth round.
 
“Oscar Rivas is in the best shape of his career,” according to his trainer, Marc Ramsay. “I know Rozicki very well and he is very dangerous. He reminds me of a big Joe Smith, Jr., who without being the best technician, compensates with enthusiasm, aggressiveness and determination in the ring “
 
This fight turns out to be more than a major one for the careers of the two pugilists. The winner will be crowned king of this new division. The historic showdown marks the return of American television to Canada for the first time since December 2018 as it will be broadcast live on ESPN + in the United States. In total, this prestigious gala will also be broadcast live in nearly fifty countries. In Quebec, the event will be available on pay-per-view television on Canal Indigo, Bell TV, Shaw TV and Fite.tv.
 
In the co-featured event, charismatic Sébastien Bouchard (19-2-0, 8 KOs) will be in his second fight of 2021, after suffering a major injury against Ayaz Hussain in 2019. He will face Mexican welterweight Sergio “Checo” Ortega (24-2-0, 18 KOs), of Baja California, Mexico, in an explosive 8-round duel.
 
With his third knockout victory this past August 28th in as many career fights, Alexis Barrière (3-0, 3 KOs) will return to the Olympia ring. This time around, the heavyweight will face Rafael “Rafaga” Sanchez Rojas (5-1, 3 KOs), of Mexico, in a 4-round clash.
 
As expected, the 6-round rematch between Alexandre Roberge (1-1-0) and Francis Charbonneau (3-1-0, 1 KO.) remains on this card. The two cruiserweights caused quite a stir on March 16th in their 6-round confrontation, which Charbonneau won by way of split decision.
 
Canadian light heavyweight prospect Terry Osias (9-0, 4 KOs) was supposed to have a fabulous 2020 with a series of fights planned at the Casino de Montreal. The pandemic decided otherwise, though. Osias finally finds his way into the ring again on Oct. 22nd against his Mexican opponent, Joaquin Murrieta (9-9-3, 7 KOs), who has won his last two fights by knockout.
 
Middleweight Kevin Menoche (4-0, 4 KOs) will put his undefeated pro record on the line versus Thad Ridsdill (2-2, 1 KO).
 
So, a colorful evening awaits boxing fans Oct. 22nd at the Olympia in Montreal. In fact, GYM will be promoting its 49th world championship fight in Canada since its founding in 2004.
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GYM returns for first time since 2019 with “the homecoming: rivas vs. louis 2”

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MONTREAL (March 9, 2021) – Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) will organize its first event in 16 months – “The Homecoming: Rivas vs. Louis 2” — Tuesday night, March 16 at Hotel Plaza Quebec in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 

“The Homecoming,” presented in co-promotion with New Era Fighting & Promotion and in collaboration of Lee Baxter Promotions is headlined by a rematch featuring Oscar “Kaboom” Rivas (26-1, 18 KOs) and Sylvera “Sly” Louis (8-5, 4 KOs) in the 8-round main event.  Rivas defeated Louis by 4-round majority decision back in 2012. 

A representative of his native Colombia at the 2008 Olympics, Rivas is coming off a controversial loss July 20, 2019, by way of a 12-round decision to Dillian Whyte (25-1) in the United Kingdom for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) Interim heavyweight title.  

A maximum of 120 fans for a total of 250 peoples will be allowed to attend “The Homecoming.”  Boxers and trainers had to have quarantined for 14 days prior to the event, and they must carefully check any Covid potential symptoms during 10 days after the fights. 

Rivas is rated No. 1 in the WBC’s new weight class, Bridgerweight (200 to 224 lbs.), and he and Louis will participate in the Bridgerweight’s inaugural fight. 

“It was not easy to put all the parts in place, to have our sanitary protocol accepted and to obtain all the required authorizations while Quebec City was in the worst of the Covid pandemic time and declared a red zone,” GYM president Yvon Michel said.  “It has been tireless teamwork for several months and full collaboration from the participants. It is an expensive but important adventure for the relaunch of our activities and the restarting of the careers of our boxers. This gala will allow several boxers to regain hope and WBC # 1 aspirant Oscar Rivas to restart the machine for whom we have very ambitious plans this year.”  

“The Homecoming” will be streamed live by FITE worldwide on the FITE mobile apps, all major OTT apps and website (www.FITE.tv), starting at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, for $29.99 USD (available in English or French). It will also be available in Canada via Canal Indigo, Bell TV, Shaw TV and YOOP.  

In the co-featured event, Canadian favorite Sebastian Bouchard (18-2, 8 KOs) takes on welterweight Mario Perez (20-7-5, 12 KOs) in a 6-tound bout.  It will be the first fight for Bouchard since he was injured in the ring in November 2019.   

Former NBA and NABO middleweight champion Patrice Volny (25-1, 18 KOs) squares off against former Canada middleweight titlist Janko Trotter (10-5-2) in a super middleweight clash of Canadians. This is a very important fight for IBF #6 ranked Volny who has been appointed to box Polish Patrick Wojcicki, IBF #3, for the mandatory position to challenge world champion Gennady Golovkin in May.  

Former Canadian amateur champion and member of the Canadian National Team, Alexis Barrière, will make is long awaited pro debut when he meets Colin Sangster (2-0, 2 KOs) in a 4-round fight between Canadian heavyweight prospects. 

There matches showcasing cruiserweights are also on tap on the undercard: Popular Yan “Wild Thing” Pellerin (10-1, 4 KOs) vs. Marco Parente (1-4-3) in a 6-rounder, plus a pair of 4-round fights betweenFrancis Charbonneau (2-1, 2 KOs) vs. Alexandre Roberge (1-0, 0 KOs), and Alexander Beaule (1-0l 1 KO) vs. Nick “Big Mac” Naccarato (0-0-1). 

Card subject to change. 

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ABOUT THE YVON MICHEL GROUP (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 support in management and especially by management in competition. In order to achieve its objectives, GYM is active in talent recruitment and event organization, having developed major partnerships with Gestev, Videotron, TVA Sports, Mise-O-Jeu, Loto-Québec, Montreal Casinos and Lac Leamy, RNC Media and 91.9 Sports, & CO, Bel Printing & Lapointe Dental Center, Rival in addition to cooperating closely with Rixa Promotions. The entire GYM team is actively working with the Yvon Michel Foundation to help fight breast cancer. GYM President Yvon Michel was inducted into the Boxing Canada Hall of Fame in April 2017. GYM has contributed to the development of many world champions, including Marie-Ève ​​Dicaire (IBF), Adonis Stevenson (WBC), Eleider Alvarez (WBO) and Artur Beterbiev (IBF), Jean Pascal (WBC) and Joachim Alcine (WBA), the most ever by a Canadian promoter in history. 

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MENG FANLONG EARNS TITLE SHOT VS. BETERBIEV – LOOKS TO BRING HAPPINESS TO HOMELAND AT DIFFICULT TIME

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February 17th, NYC — China’s Meng Fanlong (16-0, 10 KOs) will fight IBF & WBC light heavyweight champion, Artur Beterbiev (15-0, 15 KOs), March 28th at the Videotron Center in Quebec City, Canada.  Beterbiev vs. Meng is presented by Top Rank in association with Groupe Yvon Michel and Gestev, and will be broadcast live on ESPN along with a co-feature bout at 10 PM ET. 

Fanlong, who is from Chifeng, Inner Mongolia China, has more than just his world title shot on his mind.  His home country has been essentially shut down due to the recent Coronavirus outbreak.  

“The majority of my country has been shut down for weeks.” Says Meng. “My fellow citizens need something to help them escape from this very difficult time.  I hope to bring some positivity, happiness, and joy to them with this fight. I want to put pride in their hearts.”




On the 28th of March, Meng will be stepping into the ring with one of boxing’s most dangerous punchers.  Champion Artur Beterbiev has won all of his professional fights by knockout – including his thrilling title unification bout against Oleksandr Gvozdyck in October.  Meng was in attendance that night in Philadelphia and observed with great interest. 

But facing one of boxing’s most dangerous fighters in the ring pales in comparison to the concerns and troubles that are affecting hundreds of millions of Chinese across the globe. 

“Fanlong is the best Chinese fighter in the world – everyone will learn that on March 28th.”  Says Meng advisor Tommy Lane. “This is a historic fight because he is the first Chinese boxer to fight for the light heavyweight championship. And with what is going on with coronavirus, this is a fight that can bring joy and positive energy to the people at this challenging time.” 

It is unknown when the coronavirus will be under control or when the citizens of the The People’s Republic of China can get back to normal life. 

“My country needs me.  We will get through this.”

Tickets for Beterbiev vs. Meng can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.ca or the Videotron Center box office Meng. More event details will be announced at a later time.  For interview requests and media opportunities, please contact Terry Lane – tmlane@gmail.com.   

#BeterbievMeng – official hashtag

ABOUT MENG FANLONG

Meng Fanlong is a Chinese, undefeated, professional boxer who competes in the light heavyweight division. Meng has a long list of amateur boxing accomplishments, including earning a spot on the the 2012 Chinese Olympic team.  He is now the number one ranked light heavyweight contender. 


ABOUT LANE BROTHERS BOXING

New York City Based “Lane Brothers Boxing” was founded in 2019 by brothers Terry and Tommy Lane.  The Lane brothers have worked in professional boxing for nearly fifteen years, and are now using their industry expertise to advise top international boxing talent. Terry and Tommy are the sons of former referee Mills Lane. 
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JEAN PASCAL TO FACE GARY KOPAS

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‘‘THE MATCH!’’
November 9 in Sydney, Nova Scotia

SIDNEY, Nova Scotia (September 25, 2018) — Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) has reached an agreement with MG Ring Productions last Friday to hold a fight between former WBC and The Ring light heavyweight world champion Jean Pascal (33- 5-1, 20 KOs) and Canadian cruiserweight champion Gary Kopas (10-11-2, 5 KOs). The 12-round cruiserweight (200 lbs) fight will be held November 9 in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada.

 

 

It will be a second consecutive cruiserweight fight for Pascal, the Laval, Quebec fighter, and this time he will try to get his hands on the CPBC Canadian cruiserweight belt.

 

 

 

APOLLO (PASCAL) vs ROCKY (KOPAS)

 

 

 

The Jean Pascal vs Gary Kopas fight is like a real-life remake of the original Rocky movie. In one corner there is a blue-collar road warrior, Kopas, who has fought in everybody’s hometown and not always given a fair shake, yet, he still pulled himself up to be the CPBC Canadian cruiserweight champion.

 

 

 

Now, he’s been given the opportunity of a lifetime to fight one of Canada’s best and most notable fighters of his generation, Pascal. In the other corner is the former undisputed lineal WBC and The Ring Magazine light heavyweight champion, Pascal, who has fought some of the all-time bests.

 

 

 

This fight gives a local blue collar worker a chance to prove his worth in a battle called: ‘‘The Match!’’

 

 

 

The President of MG Ring Productions, George Reynolds, and the President of Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM), Yvon Michel, negotiated for a little more than a month to come to an agreement. GYM represented Jean Pascal and his advisor, Greg Leon, for this fight.

 

 

The clash, entitled “The Match of The Year”, will be featured on pay-per-view in Canada. A press conference will be held soon to reveal more details.

 

 

 

“Kopas has not lost in a few years and I will not take him lightly,” Pascal said. “I know he will come to surprise the world and try to ruin my career, but everyone who knows me knows that his career will end on November 9.”

 

 

 

‘‘My last fight was a bout in my hometown (Saskatoon) against a guy from Mexico,” Kopas noted. “Besides that, I’ve been staying in the gym, learning new skills and enjoying life. When I first heard I was fighting Jean, I was shocked… happy, but shocked. Getting the opportunity to make history and show the world the best me is an insane feeling.

 

 

 

“This is a huge fight for me. Pascal has done great things and I’m really looking forward to showing my best against a former world champion. This fight will change my life, but I want Pascal to understand that his life is going to change too, after his defeat. I hope he stands toe-to-toe with me like he did his last fight. He will not last long.

 

 

 

‘‘I want to thank all my family, friends, and fans for all the crazy support already and thank my management, MG Ring Productions, for this opportunity. It’s going to be a hard eight weeks of intense training, but knowing I have the support of such awesome people really helps.’’

 

 

 

“Jean Pascal is a man of challenges and when he realized the seriousness of Kopas and his organization, he decided as usual to take it,” Michel commented.

 

 

 

“At this point in my career,” Pascal added, “it’s very important for me to stay active. We had other plans that, unfortunately, fell at the last minute but, fortunately, the fight with Kopas came.”

 

 

 

In the co-Main Event, undefeated Cody “The Crippler” Crowley, who is the current CPBC International Jr. middleweight champion and current CPBC Canadian middleweight champion, will defend his titles. On the undercard, Quebecker Eric Barrak (8-4-0, 7 KOs) will fight for the North American CPBC heavyweight title, while Mario Perez (19-7-5, 11 KOs) of Toronto, will do the same for the CPBC International super featherweight (130 lbs) belt. Five championship fights will be presented on this spectacular boxing card. Others to be named

 

 

 

JEAN PASCAL

 

 

The former light heavyweight world champion will be looking his third straight win, second triumph in the cruiserweight division, and his fourth win in five fights under trainer Stephan Larouche.

 

 

 

In his last ring appearance, this past July 20th at Place Bell in Laval, Pascal knocked out Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) veteran and former hockey enforcer, Steve “The Boss” Bosse, in the eighth round of an intense and captivating battle.

 

 

 

GARY KOPAS

 

 

 

Gary Kopas is the current CPBC Canadian cruiserweight champion and CPBC International cruiserweight title holder.

.

 

 

Don’t let his record fool you: Kopas is known as a real bulldozer in the ring. Stopped in his pro bout in 2000, he has never been stopped again, and he came back with a vengeance. Determined to prove his value in the boxing world, he has won his last six bouts.

 

 

 

Kopas won his Canadian title after a fierce fight with the late Quebec pugilist, David Whittom.

The Saskatoon boxer, a gentleman and shaken by tragedy, has since created a “Go Fund Me” page to raise money for David’s son.

 

 

 

Here is the link of the page: https://www.gofundme.com/zzq9z-rip-david

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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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OCTOBER 20th CARD ANNOUNCED FIRST EVENT OF THE SEASON AT THE CASINO DE MONTRÉAL

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2012 Canadian Olympian Custio Clayton to headline
 

Undefeated welterweight prospect Custio Clayton will headline GYM’s Oct. 20th show in Montreal
 

MONTRÉAL (September 23, 2016) –– The “GYM 2016-2017 BOXING SERIES”, a “Presentation of Casino de Montreal in collaboration with Videotron” will officially begin October 20 and that professional boxing card has been announced today by Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) president

Yvon Michel.
In the 10-round main event, 2012 Canadian Olympian Custio Clayton (9-0, 7 KOs) will face the biggest challenge of his young career in his tenacious Mexican opponent, Ramses “El Faraon” Agaton (17-4-3, 9 KOs).
Clayton, based in Montreal since his professional debut, also headlined the  “GYM-CASINO” series last season. In three series bouts held at the Cabaret du Casino in 2016, he stopped Frenchman Stanislas Salmon (25-3-2), American Hector Munoz (23-17-1) and Mexican Jose Emilio Perea (23-6-1).
“I work hard every week and I always feel better when I work out,” Clayton said.  “I had a solid training camp in Montreal and a few days in Ottawa with my trainer. I’ll be ready!”
Agaton is a fast, skilled and aggressive southpaw who lost a tough, majority decision to the North American Boxing Federation (NABF) welterweight champion, Konstantin Ponomarev (28-0), of Russia, last November in Las Vegas. Agaton has notable victories over Ronald Montes (16-0), Alejandro Barrera (25-1) and Alvaro Robles (17-2-2).
Charismatic Marie-Eve Dicaire (4-0, 0 KOs), of St-Eustache, will step into the ring in a 6-round fight for only the second time of her career versus Karla Zamora (3-2-0, 1 KO), of Mexico, in the co-feature.
Dicaire will be fighting at Cabaret du Casino for the fourth time having already defeated Manitoba’s Christina Berry (0-2-0), Mexican Martha Patricia Lara (9-4-0) and American Ashleigh Curry (7-9-4) in her previous appearances in her previous fights there
“The Casino is becoming my home, ” the 30-year-old southpaw commented. “I cannot wait to box again This is the longest I’ve been without climbing into the ring and everything is good to the point. I am transformed! I look forward to applying the new details worked on in the gym.”
A protégé of world light heavyweight contender and 2-time Russian Olympian, Artur Beterbiev, pro-debuting super bantamweight Vislan Dalkhaev (7-0-0, 2 KOs) will try to continue his demolition work in the pro ranks against Rodrigo Adrian Campos (10-4-0, 5 KOs), of Mexico, in a scheduled 8-round fight.
During his illustrious amateur career, Dalkhaev’s major accomplishment was defeating 2-time Olympic gold medalist Robeisy Ramirez, of Cuba, at a 2010 tournament in Kazakhstan. Ramirez recently beat American star Shakur Stevenson championship final of the bantamweight (56 kg) division at the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil this past summer. Based on his rich amateur pedigree, Dalkhaev has a very promising pro boxing career.
“Vislan is very impressive in training and he is improving with every bout,” his trainer
Marc Ramseynoted. “We see consistent development by him,”
Twenty-two-year old Dario Bredicean (9-0, 3 KOs), who is trained by the Grant brothers, will also be in action against tough Frenchman Baptiste Castegnaro (8-9, 4 KOs).
An American of Romanian descent who was discovered by former world champion Lucian Bute, Bredicean fought twice at the Casino last season, winning impressive decisions over Mexican Jaudiel Zepeda (12-14-1) and Quebecer François Miville (7-4).
Patrice Volny (2-0, 1 KOs), of Montreal, will fight for the third time at the Cabaret of the Casino de Montréal. Spectacular in his two previous appearances there, where he delivered a brutal KO overMichel Tsalla (1-11-2) and dominated Charles Hauver (pro debut), he will trade blows this time with pro-debuting Cuban Oscar Masso Cando, who is a veteran of 250 amateur fights and now lives in Lévis, Québec.
Lightweight Dwayne Durel, of nearby Laval (4-0-0, 2 KOs), is a former kickboxer, also trained by the Grant brothers, who also will be on the card against a rival to be determined.
Alexandre Choko against doping
In a special attraction, Montreal’s Alexandre Choko will make his pro debut at the age of 42. An activist in boxing’s anti-doping, he wants to raise awareness of the dangers of doping products by fighting in the ring himself.
The identity of his rival will be unveiled next week.
Events at The Casino
“GYM BOXING SERIES PRESENTED BY THE CASINO DE MONTRÉAL IN COLLABORATION WITH VIDEOTRON” is based on a formula that has been very popular from 2005 to 2010. During this period, no less than nine participants went on to become world champions. For its 13th year, GYM repeated this formula in which the proximity of the action, along with the warm and electrifying ambiance, plus the intensity of the fights, provides a unique experience.
In addition, at each event ticket holders will receive a private invitation to mingle with the athletes and observers in an exclusive Casino bar this unique purpose.
“We are very proud to launch this series with this excellent event. This is the first of 18 planned at the Casino of Montreal and Lac Lemay, over the 3 next years, a real gift for boxing fans in Quebec” Michel concluded. “These are our stars of tomorrow. And again, each event at the Casino is a colorful show, a one of a kind party. This is exactly the kind of happening that fight fans do not want to miss!”
Event tickets for the event or season tickets are available to purchase via www.admission.ca or by calling at GYM’s office (514-383-0666).
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.
boxing

GROUPE YVON MICHEL’S TOP FIGHTERS JOIN VADA/WBC CLEAN BOXING PROGRAM

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MONTRÉAL (August 10, 2016) – Groupe Yvon Michel’s (GYM) world-ranked boxers have enrolled in the new VADA/WBC Clean Boxing Program (CBP), created by Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) and the World Boxing Council (WBC).
 
Adonis Stevenson, Lucian Bute, Eleider Alvarez and Artur Beterbiev will now participate in a serious new protocol in which they may be blood and/or urine tested anytime, 365 days per year. They must be available at all times for an unexpected test.
 
All of the WBC champions and WBC top 15-ranked fighters have until September 9 to conform to the new protocol or they will be removed from the WBC rankings and suspended from any activity in the WBC.
 
”This is a step in the right direction but what will really be important in the next few years is for this structure to always keep improving in order to properly regulate professional boxing,” trainer Marc Ramsay said.
 
”Fortunately, boxing is rarely the target of doping cases, but tightening the rules can only be beneficial to prevent tempted athletes to follow the wrong path,” added GYM vice-president, operations and recruitment, Bernard Barré.
 
”I am fully in favor of these new measures so all of us in the program will be playing on the same plain field,” remarked Stevenson, the WBC world light heavyweight champion.
 
“The WBC is proud to see the exemplary dedication of GYM for the welfare of the sport and we are grateful for their support to enroll Champion Adonis Stevenson and all of their WBC top 15-ranked fighters in the WBC – VADA Clean Boxing Program,” WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman commented. “The CBP is the first ever attempt in our sport to have a safety platform for our athletes and, more importantly, to share the much needed information on PED´s and illegal procedures which could harm our heroes of the ring.”

To learn more about ‘the ‘WBC Clean Boxing Program” watch the Webinar via this link: http://wbcboxing.com/WBCVADA/webinar/story_html5.html
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.