Photo: Vincent Ethier – Dzmitry Asanau, the definition of an international fighter.
Just like Max Verstappen when he’s racing in Montreal, Eye of the Tiger recruit Dzmitry Asanau (8-0, 3 KOs) doesn’t have time to mess around. In just his 9th professional fight and 2nd in North America, the two-time Olympian will be fighting for the WBC Continental Americas title on November 7 at the Casino de Montréal.
In May, when the signing of the pride of Maladzyechna (Belarus) was announced, Camille Estephan said Asanau was already prepared for “big tests.” Now, he’s got one.
Former world title challenger Matias Rueda (38-2, 32 KOs) will be coming to Montreal this fall. The Argentine power puncher was originally slated to fight in Quebec this summer, but an injury sidelined him, allowing fellow Argentine Alexis Camejo to step in.
“Rueda is a very experienced professional, but I bring a lot of amateur experience myself. I believe I can surprise him,” says Asanau, the lightweight prospect trained by Samuel Décarie-Drolet.
The Montreal Adventure
The Olympic record of this Rio (2016) and Tokyo (2021) contender made him a coveted free agent when he entered the professional ranks in 2022. Initially signing with Universum Boxing in Germany, he felt the need for change when his contract expired in 2023.
In spring 2024, Marc Ramsay invited him to Montreal for a trial. Because yes, despite more than 200 amateur wins against globally recognized talents like Andy Cruz, Hector Luis Garcia, and Murodjon Akhmadaliev, he still needed to prove at the Jeanne-Mance gym that his record was the real deal.
“We did some sparring, and then Marc told me I had what it took to be a ‘good boxer.’ A few weeks later, I signed with Eye of the Tiger,” says Asanau, who also feels his new team can help him reach the top.
Hearing him say “good boxer” with his Eastern European accent, it’s hard not to think of Artur Beterbiev’s relentless pursuit of excellence. And fittingly:
“They know how to build champions. Artur Beterbiev is the perfect example; he won everything as an amateur, and they were able to translate that into the professional ranks. Same with Christian Mbilli. I fought him personally at the Rio Games. He did well, and he’s only improved since.”
An Emirati by Adoption
To come to Montreal for the 3rd time, Dzmitry “The Wasp” Asanau flew nearly 14 hours nonstop from the United Arab Emirates.
Those who watched his August 17 fight, where he dominated over 8 rounds as the opener for the Mbilli-Derevyanchenko event, might recall Top Rank’s announcer Mark Shunock saying “fighting out of Dubai” before calling his name. But how did “The Wasp” from Belarus land in the middle of the desert?
“We moved there about two years ago,” says Asanau, who lives there with his wife and son. “I was training at Gridin Gym in Minsk, and my team decided to open a second gym and asked if any of us wanted to relocate,” continues the athlete and personal trainer.
“I saw it as an opportunity for a fresh start, but also to access more resources, like better training partners,” says the athlete-coach at Champ Belts Gym, where his training camps always begin.
“With Sam, we talk every day. Same with Philippe [Gougeon], my strength coach, who closely monitors my training plan,” he says, dividing his camp between two locations, much like Steve Claggett does from Calgary to Montreal.
From Father to Son
However, his passion for boxing goes back far beyond Dubai. His father, Siarhei, was also an excellent amateur boxer. A USSR champion, he’s now part of the coaching team for the Belarusian national team.
“I started going to the gym when I was three. Like any kid, I just wanted to follow my dad to work, but soon enough, I also started wanting to go there for boxing,” recalls the 28-year-old athlete.
“When he noticed, honestly, he wanted me to stop. He knows better than anyone that boxing is no game; it’s a tough sport that demands discipline. I had to prove to him that I had that discipline to keep going,” adds Asanau, remembering the exact moment when everything clicked.
“It was in 2012 when I became the first Belarusian to win the European Junior Championship. I knew I could make the sacrifices, but that day, it felt like I saw their reward for the first time. It motivated me to pursue boxing ‘professionally’ full time. I’ve lived only for boxing ever since.”
From Continent to Continent
Fun fact: Dzmitry Asanau is nicknamed “The Wasp” because of his boxing style. An ‘in-and-out’ style, as analyst Matt Casavant would describe it. So, it’s probably Asanau’s footwork that makes him a serious contender at 135 lbs.
“Where I come from, we say that a man can survive anything if he has strong legs. In boxing, it means a fighter can win any fight,” Asanau explains.
So far, it’s true. He’s unbeaten in nine fights, and his good legs even seem to have given him wings. Born in Europe and living in Asia—believe it or not—if he wins on November 7, he’ll rule over Americas, according to the WBC.
If the great Muhammad Ali were Belarusian, his famous phrase might have been: “Float like a butterfly, sting like a wasp.”
