Mary Spencer (10-2, 6 KO) will defend her WBA super welterweight world title this Thursday against American Mikaela Mayer (21-2, 5 KO), who is now attempting to conquer the 154-pound division as she has done from 130 to 147 lb so far.
Eye of the Tiger is nonetheless promising a “double main event” at the Montreal Casino. Rising star Wilkens Mathieu (14-0, 10 KO) will try to move from prospect to contender by facing Brossard’s pride, Shakeel Phinn (27-3-2, 17 KO), in a 100% Quebec showdown – with two titles and a place in the world super middleweight top 15 at stake.
Who between Spencer and Mayer will leave with the world title? And which Quebec fighter between Mathieu and Phinn will take his career to the international level? Those are the questions that Punching Grace, in partnership with Mise-o-jeu+, asked the boxing experts of the world!
Photo: Mikey Williams – Mikaela Mayer
The Favored Challenger?
Mary Spencer will enter the ring as world champion, but Mikaela Mayer is no ordinary challenger. The American has already captured four world titles at 130 lb, 135 lb, and 147 lb. Thanks to her technique, speed, and volume, many believe she’s capable of repeating the feat at 154 lb.
“Mary Spencer is going to have her hands full against Mikaela Mayer. We’re talking here about one of the greatest female boxers in U.S. history…” says La Presse journalist Jean-Philippe Arcand.
Three Key Factors
“These are going to be real wars… But the fight that worries me is Mary Spencer’s,” notes Punching Grace columnist Réjean Tremblay. He anticipates that the Canadian’s conditioning could be the determining factor in the fight since she has the punching power to get the job done… if it doesn’t go too long.
Photo: Vincent Ethier – Mary Spencer
For analyst Matt Casavant, the biggest question mark of the fight lies on the American side.
“Spencer boxed very well in her last fight against Suarez. Even with a hand injury, there was great chemistry with her new team. Against Mayer, she’ll need to rely on her speed and technique. If she can’t hurt Mayer early, it could be a long night — Mayer has too much experience and never slows down. The real question is whether Mayer, who began her career at 130 lb, can absorb the power at 154 lb. If she can, her experience should make the difference. Mayer can take control in the second half of the fight and win a decision.”
Finally, for Manny Montreal of Talking Boxing, it’s Spencer’s power that will ultimately make the difference: “My prediction for this fight: action from start to finish. Mayer will try to overload Spencer, and Spencer will try to dominate Mayer. Mikaela has lost decisions against smaller fighters. I think moving up in weight will only expose her to a KO defeat.”
Photo: Vincent Ethier – Shakeel Phinn and Wilkens Mathieu
Mathieu vs. Phinn: A 50-50 Fight?
It will be youth versus experience in the co-main event! At only 20 years old, Wilkens Mathieu is taking on Shakeel Phinn, a veteran with more than double the fights and more than triple the rounds of experience.
According to Laurent Poulin of Boxingtown Québec, this clash of generations will create fireworks but in the end may not crown a true winner.
“I expect Wilkens to start strong in the first half of the fight. But no one has ever stopped Shakeel Phinn, and I’d be surprised if it happens. With his experience and iron chin, the Jamaican ‘Juggernaut’ will weather the storm and win the last five rounds. Result: a draw, followed by a rematch in Quebec City next spring.”
A KO… But by Whom?
But if the fight doesn’t go the distance, choosing a winner won’t be any easier.
“After two years of development, Wilkens Mathieu gets his first big fight. It will either be a brilliant move by EOTTM’s matchmakers or a banana peel on the path of a seemingly promising prospect. I’m leaning toward the first option. Wilkens Mathieu already has the aura of a superstar, and he’ll live up to it by stopping Shakeel Phinn in the second half of the fight,” says British journalist James Lupton of Eight Round Boxing.
Photo: Vincent Ethier – Shakeel Phinn
“It’s a decisive fight, but Shakeel has already been in this kind of bout and might not get another chance […]. Wilkens believes he’s ready for the world stage and could prove it with a win… But I think he’s facing the wrong guy at the wrong time: Shakeel will win by KO,” adds Manny Montreal.
Wilkens Mathieu by decision?
Many mention Wilkens Mathieu’s lack of experience — and it’s hard to blame them. This will be his first scheduled 10-round fight, and even though he’s had four bouts scheduled for 8 rounds, he’s never gone past the 6th round.
Despite that, some believe it won’t be a problem.
“This is Mathieu’s chance to truly prove himself. Is he as good as people say? Phinn will soon answer that question. I expect Mathieu to build a good lead early in the fight. Then he should be able to keep Phinn at a distance behind his jab… on his way to a unanimous decision around 98-92,” predicts Anson Wainwright of the prestigious Ring Magazine.
Photo: Vincent Ethier – Wilkens Mathieu
“Shakeel Phinn is a formidable gatekeeper — perhaps the best in Quebec — but I expect more from Wilkens Mathieu, just as I expect him to seize this first chance to shine with open arms. Beyond Quebec, I think he has the tools to become one of the sport’s biggest stars, and that will begin with a dominant victory over Shakeel Phinn,” concludes American journalist Ryan Songalia of Boxingscene.
Also in Action
Five other fights will also be presented on the undercard, including three championship bouts!
In what Laurent Poulin has called “the best quarterfinal in the history of the Casino,” Arthur “The Wolf” Biyarslanov (19-0) will defend his NABF super lightweight title against former world champion Sergey “The Samurai” Lipinets (18-4-1, 13 KO).
Also on the card: Olympian Mehmet Unal (13-0, 11 KO) will defend his WBC Continental light heavyweight title against Latvian contender Ralfs Vilcans (18-2, 7 KO). Montreal fan favorite Christopher “Machine Gun” Guerrero will put his WBC Continental welterweight title on the line against Argentine brawler Williams Andres Herrera (17-4, 7 KO). And to open the evening, two duels between undefeated fighters will take place as Thetford Mines’ pride Thomas Chabot (11-0, 8 KO) faces Canadian champion Logan Clouthier (6-0, 4 KO), and junior world amateur champion Erik Israyelyan (2-0, 2 KO) meets Calgary puncher Dylan Schroeder (6-0, 4 KO).
Meet this Thursday, starting at 6:30 p.m., to catch all the action on Punchinggrace.com, as well as on the Mise-o-jeu+ app, where it will be your turn to make your predictions!
