Eye of the Tiger Management is dealing with the most pleasant problem in professional boxing: too many of its athletes are world-ranked and sitting in the top 15.
This will force Camille Estephan to put on more events to keep everyone active, and Jordan Mathieu, the matchmaker, to convince dangerous, also-ranked fighters to come to Quebec.
“The most complicated thing in boxing isn’t getting a fighter ranked, it’s finding the right opponent to prepare them for a world championship.” – Régis Lévesque, 50 years of experience as a promoter.
When I started following boxing in 1989, I quickly understood that the action also happens outside the ropes. TV deals, alliances with other promoters, getting into the Montreal Casino, nothing is really simple. A promoter who doesn’t invest in the full range of minor belts tied to the major organizations won’t be able to get their fighters ranked. That’s the model. You have to live with it.
All of this is to say that EOTTM has so many fighters who are close to competing for a world title that Camille Estephan no longer has the luxury of getting a full night’s sleep. The EOTTM team will be working day and night, because there’s no shortage of major matters to handle.
Photo: IG – Camille Estephan
Here are the ones I’ve identified for the end of the year.
Zuffa Boxing is serving EOTTM’s interests well
Dana White came in guns blazing with an “Undisputed” belt that’s ugly as sin. The result: the IBF stripped Jai Opetaia of his title at cruiserweight (200 lbs), and Richardson Hitchins is refusing to join Zuffa because he would have to give up his IBF title at 140 lbs.
That’s why this situation is heating up.
Lenar Perez is currently ranked 7th by the IBF. I have no doubt that EOTTM is already working on setting him up for a world title fight in July in Quebec City, or at the very least, an IBF eliminator. Why not against his compatriot Mike Perez, who fought to a draw in Montreal against Carlos Takam back in 2014?
Arthur Biyarslanov is ranked 4th by the IBF at 140 lbs. He’s being kept active with a fairly dangerous fight against Jimeer Espinosa on April 9, and after that, it’ll be a push to secure a mandatory challenger spot. The wolf is ready to feed straight from the flock.
Photo: Vitor Munhoz – Christian M’Billi
Christian M’Billi vs. Canelo Alvarez
Everyone dreams of winning the Canelo lottery, and M’Billi seems to be holding the winning ticket. He has the perfect style to give Canelo a good fight, especially since Canelo tends to struggle against fighters who move well. Our champion thrives in phone-booth fights, which could make Canelo believe he has a real chance.
On top of that, the Mexican has always had strong ties with the WBC and his friend Mauricio Sulaimán. I’d also add that the event is scheduled for September under a “Mexico vs. the World” banner. Christian M’Billi could represent Cameroon, France, Canada, even Dubai, where he owns property.
If Canelo wants his shot through the WBC, it could mean anywhere between $3 million and $8 million going into the champion’s bank account.
Photo: Vitor Munhoz – Steven Butler
Getting Steven Butler back into a world title fight
Steven was clear after his victory: he wants a fight against Christian M’Billi or Jose Armando Resendiz. I have a plan. Since Steven has been knocked out five times, I would target ranked fighters, but ones with a low knockout percentage.
Since I’m happy to help, I’d go after Austrian Edin Avdic (15–0, 10 KOs) or Spain’s Jose Luis Navarro (17–2, 12 KOs). Both are ranked by the WBA and would help him break into the top 10. “Bang Bang” has never backed down, he’s a true professional who was the first headliner at EOTTM. He deserves another path to a title shot.
Another big fight for Steve Claggett
Steve Claggett should capitalize on going the distance with Teofimo Lopez. He deserves a purse worth a Rosemont triplex to face a young prodigy looking to make a name for himself.
Why not 24-year-old British fighter Adam Aziz (14–0, 11 KOs) or 26-year-old Irishman Pierce O’Leary (19–0, 11 KOs)? Both are already filling arenas in their respective countries and aren’t afraid to pay their opponents properly.
Photo: Vitor Munhoz – Steve Claggett
Bonus: Steve Claggett has a huge heart and three lungs. He’ll never be in a bad fight.
Finding a major broadcaster
In the ring
I’m especially liking the upcoming card from Groupe Yvon Michel: lots of young talent with Junior Petanqui, Alessia Mansueto, and Omar Alieh. It’s interesting to see the veteran promoter relaunch Alexis Barrière, and Stuart McLellan is coming back from a training camp with Ryan Garcia, he’s looking to surprise Mazlum Akdeniz.
My good friend Céleste Baillargeon will be making her professional debut on April 17 in Sainte-Thérèse. Her style is explosive, and she’s never taken a step back in her life. She’ll quickly become a crowd favorite. She’s already told me she wants to break undefeated records throughout her career.
Nickname idea: “The Zero Breaker.”
Marie-Pier Houle will be back in the ring soon. She didn’t want to tell me anything…
