Mathieu VS. Falcao

Quebec City’s pride, Wilkens Mathieu, will return home for the first main event of his career on June 11 at the Théâtre Capitole. It is — by far — the biggest test of his career that awaits him for the occasion, as Brazilian Esquiva Falcao, an Olympic silver medalist and former world title challenger, will come to the Capitale-Nationale looking to take the NABF title from the 21-year-old Quebecer.

“Many have said that I was too young to face Phinn, and they will probably say the same thing about Falcao, but people need to understand that I don’t have time to waste. I already believe I am the best in the world, so I have to face the best in the world, and it starts by beating an Olympic medalist — in front of my city — on June 11,” predicted the youngest top-15 contender in the WBC super middleweight division, Wilkens Mathieu.

“Against Shakeel Phinn, Quebec discovered all of Wilkens’ talent. Against a guy like Esquiva Falcao, it’s the whole world that will soon discover him,” added the trainer of the Eye of the Tiger protégé, Giuseppe Moffa.

Taking the fast track, Wilkens Mathieu (15-0, 10 KOs) made a statement last October when he dominated and dropped Quebec contender Shakeel Phinn on his way to a unanimous decision victory in Montreal. A few months before his 21st birthday, he captured the NABF super middleweight title, in addition to entering the world rankings, where he currently sits at No. 14 with the WBC and No. 15 with the WBA at super middleweight (168 lb).

His next opponent, Esquiva Falcao (32-2, 21 KOs), will not be impressed by the rising star’s record. Wilkens Mathieu was only 7 years old when the Brazilian won the silver medal at the London Olympic Games.

Falcao then began his rise in the professional ranks, as Top Rank placed him on its most prestigious cards, on the undercard of Manny Pacquiao, on HBO, and later ESPN. Winning his first 30 fights, he notably became the first to defeat Quebec contender Patrice Volny, whom he beat in 6 rounds in 2021. In 2023, he fought for a world championship against the undefeated Vincenzo Gualtieri, but lost by decision — in Germany. His only other loss came in another competitive decision in 2024, this time against Tokyo Olympic champion Hebert Conceição. Since relaunching his career at super middleweight, the 36-year-old has won his last two fights, capturing the Brazilian championship in the process last November.

“I respect my opponent, I know he is a good fighter, an undefeated guy. But he has not yet faced a boxer like me: an experienced fighter, who hits hard, with a real desire to win. Personally, I have already fought for the world title and I intend to do it again, so God will be with me on June 11 — and the victory will go to Brazil,” promised Olympic medalist Esquiva Falcao.

But the Capitale-Nationale will have a double main event on June 11!

To precede the #MathieuFalcao showdown, Témiscouata’s pride, Leïla Beaudoin, will cross paths with Colombian contender Paulina Angel in an interim WBA super featherweight world championship bout.

“I feel grateful for so many reasons. Returning to a world championship so quickly is already incredible, but being able to do it — for the first time — at home, in front of my people, is something else. I know many people will be behind me to support me, and I plan to thank them by winning my first world title on April 11,” said the athlete from Bas-Saint-Laurent, Leïla Beaudoin.

As “incredible” as a world title opportunity may be, Leïla Beaudoin (14-2, 2 KOs) has certainly done everything to earn it. Last December in Miami, the Quebecer became the first woman in her nation’s history to fight in a unified world championship contested over 12 three-minute rounds. Despite a decision loss to American Alycia Baumgardner, Beaudoin delivered a convincing performance, winning several championship rounds in front of nearly 15 million viewers on Netflix.

Determined to come back stronger than ever, the native of Rivière-du-Loup returned to the ring less than four months later, on April 9. Facing an opponent who had already been crowned world champion three times, in Victoria Bustos, Leïla Beaudoin dominated each of the 10 rounds. Still ranked in the top 5 of the WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF world rankings, the 30-year-old Quebecer was immediately given another opportunity to return to a world championship bout against Paulina Angel.

“This fight is the result of all the work Leïla has put in over the years. She deserves this opportunity. She has worked with discipline and intelligence to reach this level. We know Angel is a solid opponent, but we are fully confident of leaving the Capitole with the victory on June 11,” assured the trainer of the EOTTM protégé, Samuel Décarie-Drolet.

Seizing her second chance at a world title will also be the objective of Paulina Angel (7-2-2, 3 KOs) when she arrives in Quebec City next spring. A 24-year-old athlete from Medellín, Colombia, Angel made a strong entry into the professional ranks in October 2020, scoring three knockouts in as many fights. Fighting in her native Colombia, as well as in Mexico and Panama, she eventually became the WBA Latin American super featherweight champion (130 lb). Last August, she lost by unanimous decision in a world title fight at 135 lb against American Stephanie Han. However, Angel left a strong impression in Orlando, dropping the champion in the very first round. Back in the division where she remains undefeated, the WBA’s No. 7 contender fully intends to surprise Beaudoin.

Also on the card on June 11: WBC Continental super middleweight champion Moreno Fendero (14-0, 10 KOs) will make his first title defense against Puerto Rican puncher Jonathan Gonzalez (21-1-1, 17 KOs). The pride of Thetford Mines, Thomas Chabot (12-1, 8 KOs), light heavyweight double continental champion Mehmet Unal (15-0, 13 KOs), EOTTM prospect Erik Israyelyan (5-0, 3 KOs) and popular Trois-Rivières boxer Daylen Pepin (2-0) will also be in action against opponents to be announced soon.