The Ascent Continues

Punching Grace will kick off 2026 with a bang on February 5, presenting a card headlined by Albert Ramirez’s first defense of his WBA Interim Light-Heavyweight World Title at the Cabaret du Casino de Montréal.

In August 2025, Albert Ramirez (22-0, 19 KOs) captured the WBA Interim Light-Heavyweight crown by stopping the No. 9-ranked contender Jerome Pampellone in the 7th round of a DAZN-broadcast fight held in Benghazi, Libya. This victory capped off a spectacular year for the Rio Olympian, who had also stopped Asian champion Michael Flannery and Croatian contender Marko Calic in 3 and 2 rounds respectively, in Montreal. With David Benavidez moving up to the cruiserweight division (200 lb), Ramirez intends to prove he is the man to beat at 175 lb.

“We have no doubt that Albert Ramirez has everything it takes to collect several more belts. From his very first world title defense, we intend to send a clear message to the light-heavyweight division — and with the opponent we’ll be announcing shortly, I can assure you that message will be heard,” stated EOTTM president Camille Estephan.

“After winning this belt far from home, in Libya, I feel privileged to be able to defend it in Montreal, where I feel at home and where boxing fans always welcome me as such,” said world champion Albert Ramirez.

Several other titles will also be on the line on the undercard. Two-time Olympian and WBC Continental Americas & IBF Intercontinental lightweight champion Dzmitry Asanau (11-0, 5 KOs) will defend his titles that same night. Canadian Olympian and top-10 world super-lightweight contender Arthur Biyarslanov (20-0, 16 KOs) will make the 5th defense of his NABF title. Montreal-based Rio Olympian and top-15 world light-heavyweight contender Mehmet Unal (14-0, 12 KOs) will return to defend his WBC Continental Americas belt.

A fifth Olympian will also fight on the card, as Canadian medalist Wyatt Sanford (5-0, 2 KOs) will be in action at the Casino de Montréal. The pride of Thetford Mines, Thomas Chabot (11-1, 8 KOs), will try to get back on the winning track. And, opening the show, EOTTM prospect Erik Israyelyan (4-0, 2 KOs) will aim to start the year — and the show — with a strong performance.