Photo: Vincent Ethier – If Jordan Mathieu and the folks at EOTTM take my advice, Wilkens Mathieu will soon be as famous as the Château Frontenac.
It was on the morning of October 6, 2018…
Jean-Philippe Ouimette and I left Rosemont, headed for Quebec City. JP was as excited as he was on prom night; he wanted to see Simon Kean take on Dillon Carman and Steven Butler face Jordan Balmir. Back then, we were so unknown that we bought our tickets with the general public. From our seats high up, we could spot Quebec celebrities like Réjean Tremblay, Vincent Cauchon, Marto Napoli, and Jeff Fillion.
Between bouts, a young man came up to visit us: my young friend Wilkens Mathieu, then 13 years old. After chatting casually and trying to become his agent (under his mother’s watchful eye), I pointed out the higher seats in the Centre Vidéotron and those still available in the red sections, then told him, “You’re the one who’s going to fill this place, Wilkens.” I’ll never forget his dreamy look and his humble but confident smile.
Today, Wilkens Mathieu is 19—a pivotal age when you already have a record of 12-0 and are ranked 60th on Boxrec. We know it’s important not to rush things or pit him against a top-10 fighter right away. However, the coming years will be crucial in preparing him for the next stage. Already, many clichés are circulating: La Presse says he’s knocking on the doors of the world elite, the Journal de Montréal mentions a boxing marathon, and RDS talks about his peace of mind.
Matchmaking notes
For context, I always refer to my good friend Bruce Trampler, the best of all time at building a boxer’s career.
Bruce Trampler elevated the profession of matchmaker. A graduate of Ohio University, he joined Top Rank in 1979. Year after year, he is listed among the 25 most influential people in boxing. Trampler divides his boxers’ careers into three stages: 1- The Prospect, 2- Career Building, 3- Superstar Status.
Here’s what he said about the first stage, and in that spirit, I will start the task of finding realistic opponents for Wilkens Mathieu in 2025.
The Prospect
For him, it’s essential to find opponents with varied styles and to help him accumulate rounds. Trampler emphasizes that a first-round KO doesn’t benefit either the audience or the boxer. Then, it’s necessary to match him against left-handers, right-handers, shorter, taller, aggressive fighters, and counterpunchers.
Who’s Next?
Now that he’s in 8-round bouts, it’s easier to find opponents for this 19-year-old fighter. To keep things simple, my first suggestions will be within Canada.
Ryan Young (16-5)
The Oakville, Ontario native is a real puzzle. He almost upset Patrice Volny and recently ended the rise of another prospect, Antonio Napolitano. The rest of his career seems to be geared toward local fights. He has only suffered one KO loss, to Phil Rose in 2016.
Durable, Canadian, and a good boxer—what more could you ask for?
Brandon Brewer (28-4-2)
This is Wilkens Mathieu’s personal choice.
I turn to New Brunswick, and you see where I’m going. I’m looking for the most resilient boxers in Canada, those who will push Wilkens Mathieu into the second half of a fight and make him work. Brandon Brewer is very competitive, as shown in his two fights against Lancelot Proton de la Chapelle and his performance against Steven Butler. He will soon face Antonio Napolitano in the co-main event of the Ryan Rozicki card.
Ryan Ford (17-9)
When Ryan Ford enters a room, the atmosphere chills, people fall silent, and children hide behind their parents. Intimidating, Ryan Ford fears no one, and there’s no point in trying anything during the weigh-in or face-off.
‘The Real Deal’ has never backed down from anyone. He’s faced off with Fedor Chudinov, Andrey Sirotkin, Avni Yildirim, and Shefat Isufu, to name a few. Only Joshua Buatsi stopped him before the final bell.
This would be the perfect opportunity to test Wilkens Mathieu’s toughness against Ford. Ford has been very competitive in his recent outings and often deserved a better outcome in his losses abroad. Always ready, Ford will fight anytime, anywhere. Why not in Quebec in 2025?
A Few Ideas Beyond Canada
Vladimir Belujsky (17-9-1)
‘Big Bad Vlad’ has impressed me since he took all the punches from Shakeel Phinn in 2022. Since then, he’s improved and has gone the distance against Karol Itauma and Ben Whittaker, which is already an accomplishment.
I don’t claim he’d win rounds, but he’d make them—and that’s precisely what we’re looking for in a 19-year-old boxer.
Jose de Jesus Macias (28-13-4)
Life needs a bit of spice and risk. Of course, we’re building a career, but a bit of daring is necessary. The Mexican fighter defeated Francis Lafrenière, Steven Butler, and gave Erik Bazinyan a tough time. He went the distance against Pavel Silyagin, Callum Simpson, and Kerman Lejarraga, and he’s fought in numerous countries.
This type of fight would be ideal. I can already imagine Camille Estephan and the Mathieu family on edge before the bout. It would be rich in emotions, and it would be a big moment for Wilkens to take on this challenge at just 20.
I am convinced that Wilkens Mathieu is a future world champion. Moving to Montreal or giving his all for boxing is not a sacrifice for him; it’s his life. At 13, he already knew all the rankings and prospects, staying up late to watch every fight.
Wilkens Mathieu and boxing—it’s a marriage of reason and passion.
