With tens of thousands of fans expected at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, and tens of millions likely to tune in on Netflix for the Canelo-Crawford card, no Quebec boxer will ever have been more in the spotlight than Christian Mbilliwill be on September 13, when he faces Lester Martinez.
Even though Riyadh has become part of the conversation in recent years, for many, Las Vegas remains the boxing capital of the world. Over the decades, more than twenty Quebec fighters have stepped into the ring there. As “Solide” prepares for the biggest night of his career, let’s take a look back at how Quebec has performed in Sin City.
Lemieux: Always Perfect
David Lemieux made noise every time he set foot in Las Vegas. His record speaks for itself: 3 wins, 0 losses, including 2 knockouts, all at the T-Mobile Arena. He stopped Glen Tapia in the 4th round (2016), outclassed Marco Reyes (2017), and delivered a devastating 1st-round KO of Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan (2018).
Photo: World Boxing Council – David Lemieux
Heavyweight Title fight
A Las Vegas resident by adoption, Bermane Stiverne fought there four times. Unfortunately, what stands out is his loss to Deontay Wilder in their first bout (2015). That said, during Wilder’s reign, only Stiverne and Tyson Fury managed to go the distance with him. Stiverne also notched wins over Marcus Dear (2006), Jerry Butler (2009), and gatekeeper Derric Rossy (2015).
Between two Kovalev
Surprisingly, Jean Pascal only fought once in Elvis Presley’s adopted city. In July 2015, at Mandalay Bay, he earned a hard-fought unanimous decision over undefeated Cuban Yunieski Gonzalez. The event was designed to build hype for Kovalev vs. Pascal 2, while giving Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev a chance to deal with his IBF mandatory, Nadjib Mohammedi, whom he stopped in three rounds. The rematch took place six months later.
Photo: ESPN – Bermane Stiverne
The Hiltons
Matthew Hilton rose to stardom quickly. In his first 29 fights, he racked up 22 KOs (3 in Nevada) and became the IBF world champion at 154 pounds. But it was in Vegas that his 15-month reign ended — he lost his title to Robert Hines, along with a potential showdown against Sugar Ray Leonard. Hilton bounced back with a KO win at Bally’s Las Vegas the following year — his last knockout victory. Six fights later, after multiple setbacks, he retired in 1993 — still in his twenties.
Also worth noting: Dave Hilton fought in Las Vegas twice in 1985. Against Dennis Horne, he captured the WBC Continental Americas title, which is now held by Christopher Guerrero.
Thunder vs. Golden Boy
In 2001, Arturo “Thunder” Gatti made his only Las Vegas appearance. It wasn’t his most glorious night, but when you’re facing Oscar De La Hoya in his prime, win or lose — it’s a big deal.
Also: Joe Gatti went 1-1 in Vegas, suffering his first career loss there.
Otis Grant, so close
In 1993, Otis Grant won a NABF title fight against Willie Monroe, but his biggest moment came in March 1997, when he fought Lonnie Bradley to a draw in a WBO world middleweight title fight. On paper, it remains one of the strongest performances by a Quebec boxer in Las Vegas.
His brother, Howard Grant, ended his career there in 1995 with a loss to Stevie Johnston.
Photo: Herby Whyne – Otis Grant
One to Forget
After finally defeating Dave Hilton, Stéphane Ouellet traveled to the MGM Grand… only to be dismantled by Omar Sheika (2001). Similarly, fresh off a surprise win over David Lemieux, Joachim Alcine was stopped in the first round by Matthew Macklin at the Thomas & Mack Center.
Quick Highlights
Jean-François Bergeron defeated ‘Mr. P’ Willie Palms and Jason ‘The Native American Nightmare’ Nicholson (2001–2002). Hercules Kyvelos lost in an IBF eliminator against Cosme Rivera (2004). Herman Ngoudjo dropped a controversial decision in a WBC eliminator against Jose Luis Castillo (2007). On the Pacquiao-Hatton undercard, Benoit Gaudet was stopped in the 9th round of a WBC world title fight by Humberto Soto (2009). In his only win on U.S. soil, Adonis Stevenson stopped Dion Savage in the 1st round (2011). Arash Usmanee lost by unanimous decision to Raymundo Beltran (2014). Steven Butler won a tough fight against Kopylenko and Erik Bazinyan earned a unanimous decision over Campa at the Hard Rock Hotel (2019). Joe Smith Jr. stopped and sent Eleider Alvarez into retirement in the 9th round (2021). Finally, to end on a high note, from 2011 to 2020, Trois-Rivières native Mikaël Zewski compiled a 7–2 record with 5 KOs in Nevada.
Photo: IG – Mikaël Zewski
By the Numbers
On September 13, Christian Mbilli will defend his WBC interim super middleweight world title against Lester Martinez. He could become the first Quebec boxer to win a world title fight in Las Vegas — after four previous failed attempts.
All told, combining the results of all the boxers mentioned above, Quebec holds a solid record of 27 wins, 14 losses, and 1 draw in Las Vegas — including 16 wins by knockout.
