I got stung by a wasp right in the middle of a Montreal casino. While I feared falling back into one of my old vices, it wasn’t the fever of gambling that hit me in the face, but rather a wasp sting, from Dzmitry Asanau…
The story begins when Marc Ramsay invited Dzmitry Asanau to spend two weeks in Quebec as a training partner. It was expected that a two-time Olympian (2016 and 2020) would be solid, but Ramsay fell in love with both the man and his work ethic and boxing style. The boxer, already 7-0 as a pro, quickly signed with EOTTM.
Photo: Vincent Ethier – Dzmitry Asanau with his WBC Continental title and his new IBF Intercontinental title…
Originally from Belarus, Asanau has long been one of the leading figures in European amateur boxing. A World Championship medalist and two-time Olympian, he faced the best in his category even before turning professional. That experience now fuels his confidence in the ring—nothing fazes him.
It’s a privilege to watch Dzmitry Asanau box up close. He has mastered the five fundamental principles of professional boxing:
Guard
Footwork
The jab
Defense
The attack/defense combination
Last night, against an undefeated French opponent, he gave a masterclass in boxing. I even said it out loud: he’s the best technician I’ve seen box in Quebec. He has this way of stepping inside, unloading on his opponent, and slipping back out without taking a single hit in return.
Photo: Vincent Ethier – Dzmitry Asanau vs Laid Douadi
Through his coach and translator, Samuel Décarie-Drolet, I approached him to tell him I thought he was… perfect. What struck me was his smile and simplicity. Asanau lives and breathes boxing.
“Dzmitry is a naturally talented boxer! Agile, creative, and with an impressive amateur background, he’s a great addition to EOTTM. We’re not going to beat around the bush: the goal is to move quickly and line up championship fights for him,” said his new trainer Samuel Décarie-Drolet.
Promoter Camille Estephan strongly believes in him, and the facts speak for themselves: Thursday night, the IBF Intercontinental and WBC Continental titles were already at stake. The result? Asanau is now ranked 8th by the WBC and has skyrocketed to 24th in the world on BoxRec.
Photo: Vincent Ethier – Laid Douadi vs Dzmitry Asanau
Some Possible Opponents
For his next fight, I’d take things up a notch if I were part of his team. I could see him facing boxers who’ve held their own against world champions, to send a clear message to the 135-pound division. Mexican Diego Torres Nunez, Venezuelan Angel Rodriguez, or someone already ranked by the WBC to push into the top 5. Even Miguel Madueno, who went the distance with Steve Claggett or Keyshawn Davis, would be a good test.
And what a division! The 135-pound weight class is currently the most stacked in boxing, with names like Shakur Stevenson, Gervonta Davis, Keyshawn Davis, and Abdullah Mason. In this context, having a complete, disciplined boxer who can adapt to all styles is a major asset for Eye of the Tiger Management. Dzmitry Asanau has all the tools necessary to become a world champion. And I’m convinced: he will get there.
Photo: BLH – Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis
In the Podcast: 2025 World Championships Edition
Friday morning in Liverpool, Canadian Joshua Ofori eliminated the favorite, Callum Peters. The Australian, already 4-0 as a pro, was considered a high-level prospect. Ofori, originally from Edmonton, now becomes a medal hopeful for 2028.
A brother-sister duo is also proudly representing us in Olympic boxing: Marie Al-Ahmadieh (57 kg) and Keoma Al-Ahmadieh (60 kg) are among the world’s elite.
Finally, for my French friends, keep an eye on César Yojerlin (80 kg), who will be looking to repeat his success after winning the World Boxing Cup in Astana earlier in 2025.
