I don’t see years in months and weeks like in the Roman calendar. The passing years are instead used to answer the nagging questions in my head about Quebec boxing.
Can EOTTM compete with Top Rank in the future? Will Yvon Michel become more of a manager than a promoter? And is Mike Moffa secretly building an army in his spare time? Those are questions for 2026. For now, here are the events that defined my 2025 in Quebec boxing.
It’s time for the year in review.
10 – Victory and Pregnancy for Kim Clavel
Kim Clavel had an emotional year, both professionally and personally. She regained the world championship with a flawless performance against Sol Cudos and, as of this writing, we’ve learned that she will give birth in June 2026. That’s the magic of the holidays. A belt and a baby: Kim Clavel won’t forget 2025 anytime soon.
Photo: Vincent Ethier – Kim Clavel
9 – Christian M’Billi Became Unmissable
Maciej Sulecki had just knocked out Ali Akhmedov when he came to Quebec City to try to win the WBC interim title against our French boxer. Solid and dominant, M’Billi completely dismantled him — a major accomplishment. He then took part in one of the best fights of the year against Lester Martinez, on the undercard of Terence Crawford vs. Saul Alvarez. Today, he is one of Turki Alalshikh’s favorites. His fight for the full WBC super middleweight title will be announced in the coming days. M’Billi used 2025 to become a superstar.
Photo: Zuffa Boxing – Lester Martinez and Christian Mbilli
8 – A Philosophical Shift for Groupe Yvon Michel
Groupe Yvon Michel presented four events in 2025. It formed alliances with Jake Paul’s MVP and Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing. Yvon Michel no longer seems to act as an event promoter, but rather as an athlete manager. We see this with Derek Pomerleau and Alexis Barrière, as well as in a consulting role with Kim Clavel. In 2025, the group also appears to have lost its contract with the Montreal Casino.
7 – Yan Pellerin Became Canada’s Second Promoter
My friend Yan rented Place Bell to stage his company’s first world championship fight, between Jean Pascal and Michael Cieslak. His fighter Marcus Browne faced Brandon Glanton in Nigeria, and he brought Francis Lafrenière out of retirement. He also surrounds himself with serious partners: Jean-Paul Mouradian supports him through New Era, the businessman behind the Grand Prix Festival on Crescent Street. Yan Pellerin loves local boxing, and everyone leaves his shows smiling. He allows up-and-coming fighters to turn pro and make a name for themselves. Guillaume Gosselin, with two massive knockouts in 2025, is building a real fan base. He’s the next Éric Lucas — a hardworking boxer, loved by everyone.
6 – Tamm Thibeault Is a War Machine
The word I’d use to describe Tamm Thibeault’s year is explosive. She literally destroys anyone who dares step into the ring with her. Jake Paul sees her in his soup, and Kay Scott owes her a title shot. In her spare time, she even won the Canadian amateur boxing championship and mentioned targeting Olympic gold at the next Games. As if that weren’t enough, she also completed a bachelor’s degree in urban planning in England in 2025.
Photo: MVP – Jake Paul and Tamm Thibeault
5 – Osleys Iglesias Is Terrifying
He is currently the most feared boxer in the world. His eighth-round victory over Vladimir Shishkin to become the IBF’s number-one contender showed that he is far more than a dangerous puncher. La Tornade is Cuban boxing science at its finest, with two anvils for fists. Blogs, forums, and analysts worldwide already see him unifying the super middleweight division if given the chance. The IBF has sent an email to Saul Alvarez to gauge his interest; otherwise, they’ll have to go down the rankings to find Iglesias an opponent for the vacant 168-pound title. He ends the year with a championship fight secured.
Photo: Vincent Ethier – Osleys Iglesias and Vladimir Shishkin
4 – Lenar Perez Is a Golden Nugget
When Marc Ramsay saw him for the first time, he was struck by the Cuban’s size and build. It’s only a matter of time before Perez becomes the best cruiserweight in the world not named Jai Opetaia. This is the signing of the year in Quebec and one of the most important worldwide in 2025. Perez will make his debut in March on an EOTTM card, and you’ll all understand why Camille Estephan still pinches himself at night to check whether he’s dreaming or actually signed him last November.
Author’s note: you’re going to lose your mind.
3 – Marie-Ève Dicaire Elected in Terrebonne
A big 2025 for the former world champion. She hosted her own show, is a columnist on RDS’s 5 à 7, and gives talks in schools. I’ll add that she’s an outstanding ambassador for the sport. I appreciated how she confronted Liberal minister Enrico Ciccone and his bill on reforming professional boxing.
2 – Barrière and Pomerleau
Derek Pomerleau was walking on water at the WBC Grand Prix tournament before running into Dylan Biggs in the final. While his profile skyrocketed and he’s now known to the general public, he’ll still need to go back to the drawing board, make adjustments, and start winning fights away from Saudi Arabia. All of this while dealing with two promoters who may once again end up before a judge to divide his custody time. His 2025 remains positive, with five wins in six fights.
Photo: Vincent Ethier – Camille Estephan, Bob Arum and Antonin Décarie
1 – EOTTM Is a Major Player Comparable to Anyone in the World
Eye of the Tiger has never been stronger. In 2025, the Montreal-based stable reached a historic peak: 17 of its 23 boxers ranked globally, including three world champions. Numbers that confirm what the ring already showed — EOTTM has become the gold standard of Quebec boxing.
In 2025, Eye of the Tiger didn’t just win fights.
It dominated.
Conclusion
2025 answered many questions… and raised even more. One thing is certain: Quebec boxing has never been this alive, this ambitious, or this close to the top of the world.
