“In my eyes, this is the most important fight ever held at the Casino. The super middleweight division is the most competitive in boxing right now. We’ll have the two top IBF contenders in the ring, here at home, with a potential bout against Canelo Alvarez on the line. We’re raising the bar once again.”
So said EOTTM president Camille Estephan in a press release.
The promoter was reacting to the announcement of the fight between Osleys Iglesias and Vladimir Shishkin, scheduled for September 4 at the Montreal Casino. I’ll grant him this: it’s one of the most important fights in the Casino’s history. It inspired me to dig through my memories and present the 10 best fights ever held at the Temple of the Slot Machine.
1.Otis Grant vs. Librado Andrade – WBC Eliminator
It’s June 1999. Hercules Kyvelos was preparing for a fight in Montreal two weeks later when he was involved in a fatal car accident with Otis Grant and Grant’s daughter Alexandria. Otis was driving when another vehicle came at them head-on on Highway 15. He swerved to protect Kyvelos and his daughter. The woman driving the wrong way died instantly, and Otis Grant spent many days in a coma.
At 31 years old, Otis Grant was fighting for his life. Doctors unanimously agreed: if he survived, he’d never box again.
In December 2005, Groupe Yvon Michel won the purse bid for a WBC eliminator bout against Librado Andrade. The winner would face Markus Beyer (who would later lose to Mikkel Kessler). Otis Grant lost in the 7th round of an ultra-competitive and violent fight. He had lost mobility in his shoulder and, at 38, was no longer the same boxer.
Anecdote: He became friends with Librado Andrade; Grant’s brother Howard even became his trainer.
It’s the greatest fight ever held at the Montreal Casino for its stakes, Otis Grant’s lesson in courage, and the fact that he never stopped believing in himself and proved the doctors wrong.
2.Kim Clavel vs. Yenesia Gomez – WBC Eliminator
There are many stories around this fight. Kim Clavel used her free agent status to leave EOTTM and join Groupe Yvon Michel—a move considered risky at the time. Two years later, she won the WBC light flyweight belt from the reigning champion. By my count, there have only been 3 regular world title fights among the 107 events held at the Casino.
3.Mary Spencer vs. Naomi Mannes – WBA Championship
One of five championship fights at the Montreal Casino (three involved Spencer). A nonstop war, a controversial decision, a knockdown that’s still debated. Mannes’ evasive, movement-based style clashed with Spencer’s strength and physical dominance.
Initially for the interim WBA title, Spencer was later declared full champion when Terri Harper vacated the belt. She successfully defended it a few months later against former world champ Ogleidis Suarez.
Photo: Vincent Ethier – Spencer and Mannes
4.Steven Butler vs. Patrice Volny
What a fight! After over four years of buildup, the two boxers delivered. The referee stopped the fight while Butler was still on his feet, though barely defending. The WBC Francophone title added prestige. Volny’s high, compact guard should be studied in textbooks. Along with the next fight on this list, it’s one of the two best local matchups in the Casino’s history.
Photo: Vincent Ethier – Volny and Butler
5.Mathieu Germain vs. Steve Claggett I
I’ll never forget this moment. It was January 26, and I was sitting between two of my idols, Réjean Tremblay and Frédéric Daigle. Ignoring journalistic objectivity, I yelled, “This is Canada’s fight of the year!” at the final bell. I was right. A brawl from start to finish with two IBF titles at stake. It also marked the beginning of Camille Estephan’s new appreciation for local fights
6.Christian Mbilli vs. Carlos Góngora
From the opening bell, you knew this one was going the distance. The Ecuadorian absorbed everything, then landed four massive uppercuts that rattled Mbilli. The 8th round was historic. The bout was nominated for 2023 Fight of the Year. A legendary war that catapulted the French boxer’s career.
Photo: Vincent Ethier – Christian Mbilli and Carlos Gongora
7.Arslanbek Makhmudov vs. Carlos Takam
Three belts on the line, and Carlos Takam—French boxing legend with a Mr. Olympia physique—was in the ring. If not for two knockdowns, it was a very close contest. Takam’s massive hooks kept us on the edge of our seats. Two giants in such a small ring? Definitely in my top 10.
Photo: Vincent Ethier – Takam and Makhmudov
8.Marie-Eve Dicaire vs. Mikaela Lauren – IBF Championship
The future mayor of Terrebonne was defending her IBF title for the first time since winning it in a historic victory over Mikaela Lauren. The Swede is tough and a multiple-time world champ. It was a time when boxing was booming, and Dicaire could pack a venue.
9.Sébastien Demers vs. William Joppy
“Double Trouble” (30-2, 11 KOs) was on a hot streak when he was matched with the former WBA champ, now 40 years old. Two years earlier, Joppy had gone 10 rounds with Lucian Bute, and this was meant to launch Demers toward another title shot. In my memory, it was the toughest fight to score in Casino history. Demers won by majority decision. It was the first time the Casino brought in a former world champion.
10.Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse vs. Abril Vidal – WBC Championship
Rounding out my top 10, partly for Vanessa’s story—she lost 125 pounds and overcame many injuries to become world champion. Also, for the fight’s intensity and the controversy over the judges’ decision. Let’s be honest: Vidal could have left with the belt and no one in the crowd would’ve complained.
Photo: Vincent Ethier – Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse
On the Podcast
Antoine Jean was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 7th round of the MLB draft. Rosemont is proud of you.
I don’t believe in Manny Pacquiao’s comeback. I’m calling it now: he’ll lose 120–108 on the scorecards this Saturday night.
Shoutout to Kent Hughes for picking up every Quebec player since July 1. My grandfather Jean-Paul always told me this team won when French was spoken in the locker room. I salute you from down here.
