The Day I Almost Lost Everything. 2020.
A pivotal year, full of decisions with heavy consequences.
It was the year Christian found his new promoter… and the year I felt like I was walking on the edge of a cliff.
At that point, Christian had just ended things with his former promoter—mutually agreed. The future was wide open in front of him. Marc had laid several options on the table: “Analyze them, take your time. And if you find something better, we’ll talk about it.”
A simple sentence—but full of freedom. Cards laid out. But in Christian’s eyes, I could still see the sparkle of the American dream: big fights, dizzying numbers, Las Vegas in the background.
I kept telling him, over and over, that Eye of the Tiger and Camille Estephan were the right path. Then, after weeks of silence, the phone rang:
“Sam, can you set up a meeting with Camille?”
Photo: Camille Estephan, with Christian Mbilli
The next day, the meeting was set: 40 West, Montreal. Dim lights, white tablecloths, red leather booths, and a quiet ballet of servers. Camille was already there, precise like a chess player who knows the game by heart. He had the numbers, the data, the plan. But beyond the stats, we had to feel if the chemistry would work.
And it did. Instantly. The tone was set, the conversation flowed, as if they had known each other for years.
Camille laid out his offer. Christian listened carefully, then said he’d talk it over with Marc. Nothing was decided yet, but I could feel a major step had just been taken.
Excited by the meeting, I rushed to tell Marc everything. And I quickly realized I’d made a mistake: I should’ve warned him beforehand. His look, his tone… I felt like I was walking a tightrope, feet dangling in the void.
For a few minutes, I thought I had ruined everything.
Luckily, we had too much work to stay mad for long—daily urgency took over, and the tension faded. Today, we laugh about it. But back then, I felt like my future was collapsing. My heart was in my throat.
Photo: Vincent Ethier – Luc-Vincent Ouellet, Marc Ramsay, Christian Mbilli, Camille Estephan, Shawn Collinson, Samuel Décarie-Drolet and Antonin Décarie
Looking back, what I feel most is gratitude. Gratitude from Camille, who often reminded me that he appreciated me introducing him to Christian. And my own gratitude, immense, for Camille—who opened a door that would change Christian’s destiny… and mine along with it.
Fight Day!
Back to the present.
This is it. The big day.
Las Vegas. On fight day, time takes on a different texture—every minute feels longer, every action must be precise, yet in a blink, the fight will be here.
Photo: Zuffa Boxing – Christian Mbilli
Everyone sticks to their routine.
Christian, operating like clockwork: wake-up, activation, meal, rest, bag check, nap, snack.
Marc, focused in his role, barely speaking.
Me—I need to run. That’s my release.
That day, I had to deliver some tickets and a track suit to Félix Trudel, our team doctor. He was staying at the MGM, 5.5 kilometers away. A perfect round trip. So I head out.
The desert air clings to my skin, and I love hearing the sound of my footsteps echo with every stride. Each run lets me unload some of the tension, clear my thoughts. But in my head, the fight keeps playing out. I visualize it over and over, as if I could rehearse the outcome endlessly.
Photo: Las Vegas Raiders – Allegiant Stadium
Back at the hotel, it’s time for the bag. Even though it’s been packed since Montreal, I empty it completely. Hand wraps, scissors, gloves, vials… everything gets checked and put back in its place.
This ritual grounds me. Then I grab needle and thread to sew patches onto Christian’s shorts. Simple, precise movements that calm me.
I try to lie down for a nap. Most of the time, it’s a lost cause. The body wants to rest, but the mind refuses. So I nibble on something, then get ready to leave. Allegiant Stadium awaits us.
In a few hours, the lights will come on. Christian will step into the ring, and all this silent preparation will finally make sense.
Tomorrow, I’ll tell you about the locker room, the fight itself, and that unique moment when we come together again after it’s all over.
But tonight, I pause.
Because now, there is only one thought left in my mind:
Win.
Photo: Samuel Décarie-Drolet – “Tous derrière Solide!”
