Interview with Samuel Décarie-Drolet and Dzmitry Asanau
During an Eye of the Tiger gala held at the Montreal Casino, I asked Camille Estephan if I could invest my pension fund in one of his boxers. The stock market, real estate, bitcoin… they’re all fine, but if it were up to me, I’d entrust my family’s wealth to a Belarusian lightweight with two Olympic appearances.
There’s something special about Asanau: he’s the most technically gifted boxer I’ve ever seen in Quebec. I get the impression he boxes with a protractor in one hand and a scientific calculator in the other, because he’s always at the perfect angle and the perfect distance. Is he a boxer, or mathematician Terence Tao wearing gloves*? And he competes in the lightweight division, where both elite fighters and big money are everywhere.
*Terence Tao’s IQ is estimated at 230.
I was relaxing at my friend Jonathan Jeria’s house watching SummerSlam, wondering about one thing: later that evening, after Raymond Muratalla defeated Robson Conceição, would he officially announce his move up to the 140-pound division, just as rumors had predicted for months? It was an important question because it could leave our own local fighter, Dzmitry Asanau, trained by Samuel Décarie-Drolet, in line for a world title fight against Russian boxer Artur Subkhankulov (12-0, 6 KOs).
Photo: Victor Munhoz – Dzmitry Asanau
That’s when I realized it was my turn to step in. Hardcore boxing fans already know who the Belarusian is, but the general public doesn’t—and that’s almost a crime. So here’s an in-depth interview with his trainer, Samuel Décarie-Drolet, along with a few questions I asked Dzmitry Asanau himself in Russian.
Questions for Dzmitry Asanau
Laurent Poulin — 1. You chose to sign with Eye of the Tiger. What convinced you that it was the right organization for your career, and what has that decision brought you as a boxer?
Dzmitry Asanau: I had heard many great things about Eye of the Tiger, and I already knew several fighters who had worked with the organization. I also knew their coaching staff was exceptionally strong and highly experienced. From our very first meeting, I felt I could trust them… and I hope the feeling is mutual! (laughs)
That was the moment I realized that by combining our strengths, I would be able to reach my full potential and become the very best version of myself as a boxer.
Laurent Poulin — 2. You’re now considered one of the top fighters in the lightweight division. Where do you see yourself among the elite, and how close do you feel you are to becoming a world champion?
Dzmitry Asanau: The lightweight division has been one of boxing’s deepest and most competitive weight classes for many years. It’s filled with great champions and incredibly talented fighters.
I don’t like looking too far ahead. I prefer to take things one fight at a time. Of course, my ultimate goal is to become world champion and unify the belts. But before I get there, I still have to prove myself and establish my place among the very best fighters in the division.
Photo: Victor Munhoz – Roger Gutierrez vs. Dzmitry Asanau
Laurent Poulin — 3. From Belarus to Dubai and now with Eye of the Tiger, you’ve had to adapt to different cultures and environments. What has that journey taught you about yourself, both inside and outside the ring?
Dzmitry Asanau: This journey has been extraordinary, and I’m deeply grateful to have had the opportunity to experience so many different cultures around the world.
That said, deep down I have always been Belarusian, and I always will be. I’m proud of my roots and will always remain faithful to my country’s traditions and culture.
From a sporting standpoint, I’ve been boxing for more than 25 years. I’ve had the opportunity to face and adapt to a wide variety of styles. I’ve shared the ring with European, American, Asian, African, and former Soviet fighters. Every one of those styles taught me something valuable and helped me grow.
Laurent Poulin — 4. Years from now, when people talk about Dzmitry Asanau, what legacy would you like to leave—not only in world boxing, but also among Quebec boxing fans who are just getting to know you?
Dzmitry Asanau: Sport has been part of my life for as long as I can remember, and I want to continue inspiring and motivating people—not only to take up boxing, but to make physical activity a part of their everyday lives.
Photo: Victor Munhoz – Dzmitry Asanau
I want to encourage people to set goals, work hard, and believe in themselves. I’m convinced that sport can solve many problems, including psychological challenges and mental health issues.
In my country, we have a proverb that says, “A healthy body is home to a healthy mind.” I couldn’t agree more.
Interview with Samuel Décarie-Drolet
Laurent Poulin — For fans who are discovering Dzmitry Asanau today, who is he really as both a boxer and a person? What sets him apart from the other rising contenders in the lightweight division?
Samuel Décarie-Drolet: Dzmitry is an incredibly complete fighter. He has an exceptional amateur background, but what impresses me most is his ability to learn and adapt. Many talented boxers rely on what they’ve already accomplished. He walks into the gym every single day with the humility of someone who still wants to improve.
As a person, he’s quiet, respectful, and extremely disciplined. He doesn’t seek the spotlight. He prefers to let his work speak for itself.
What truly separates him in such a competitive lightweight division is his intelligence. He doesn’t win simply because of his speed or technique; he reads fights, makes the right decisions, and finds solutions in the middle of exchanges. That’s a quality you simply can’t teach.
Photo: Victor Munhoz – Dzmitry Asanau
Laurent Poulin — Do you remember your very first meeting with Dzmitry? What was your first impression, and when did you realize he had the potential to become a world title contender?
Samuel Décarie-Drolet: I remember our first meeting very clearly. What immediately stood out to me—besides the fact that he’s intelligent, kind, and thoughtful—was the quality of his technical foundation. You could tell right away that he had been trained at the highest level.
But honestly, that’s not what convinced me he could become a world title contender. It was what happened over the following weeks. I saw an athlete who welcomed criticism, asked the right questions, and came back every day determined to improve.
Talent opens doors, but attitude is what takes you all the way to a world championship. That’s when I realized he had something truly special.
Laurent Poulin — Dzmitry is already ranked among the top lightweights in the world. In your opinion, what technical and mental qualities will allow him to take that final step and become a world champion?
Samuel Décarie-Drolet: Technically, he possesses virtually every tool a boxer could want. He controls distance extremely well, he’s precise, he moves intelligently, and he makes very few mistakes. He’s a fighter who thinks constantly inside the ring.
Mentally, he’s remarkably calm. No matter the pressure, he sticks to his game plan. Many fighters want to win every exchange. He wants to win the fight.
The final step is really about experience—facing different styles, going through tougher, more competitive fights, and continuing to accumulate rounds at the highest level. I’m convinced he has everything it takes to become a world champion.
Photo: Victor Munhoz – Roger Gutierrez vs. Dzmitry Asanau
Laurent Poulin — Looking ahead over the next few years, how far do you think Dzmitry can go? And what kind of impact could he have on Eye of the Tiger as well as on Quebec boxing as a whole?
Samuel Décarie-Drolet: I genuinely believe Dzmitry can become a world champion. He has the talent, the work ethic, and he’s surrounded by an outstanding team that believes in him.
For Eye of the Tiger, he’s an athlete who can become one of the organization’s international faces. His style is exciting to watch, but above all, it’s incredibly effective. Fans appreciate fighters who know how to win with intelligence.
For Quebec boxing, it’s fantastic to have athletes of this caliber choosing to pursue their careers here. Every time a boxer of this level succeeds, it shines a spotlight on our local boxing scene, inspires the next generation, and highlights the outstanding work of our trainers, promoters, and everyone involved in the Quebec boxing community.
