In the red corner, wearing the Eye of the Tiger Management panties, Center Gervais Auto de Shawinigan. Starring Simon Kean, Arslanbek Makhmudov and many others.
In the blue corner, wearing the GYM panties, the Colisée Vidéotron in Trois-Rivières. Starring Mikaël Zewski, Marie-Pier Houle and a few others.
A region, the Mauricie, two cities, two promoters, two hockey organizations, a market and a battle for the boxing clientele of this greater Mauricie that we want to extend to a radius of 90 kilometres.
While Shawinigan practically enjoyed a boxing monopoly in the region, Trois-Rivières is counter-attacking with a gala tomorrow night in the brand new Colisée Vidéotron.
“This is the first event in our new Colosseum other than Lions hockey games. We are excited and we look forward to welcoming fans from the greater Mauricie region, ”said Mark Weightman, president of the Trois-Rivières Lions, yesterday in the ECHL.
And he was in a good mood.
EXPAND THE REGION
Weightman is the president of the Lions. But it was he and his organization who took on the responsibility of selling the tickets for the boxing gala. Yvon Michel and his group provide support, but as is the case in Shawinigan with Eye of the Tiger Management, it is the local organization that does the heavy lifting.
“We want to develop a market as far as Repentigny and Portneuf on the Quebec side. It’s easy to come to Colisée Videotron. We are 200 meters from the 40, we see the building coming and parking is free. There is no reason why the Mauricie should not become an important market for boxing. There will always be the Bell Center and the Videotron Center and their 20,000 spectators and Place Bell in Laval. But our Coliseum is a new building, technically modern and well equipped, the service is excellent and warm, and boxing will help to make it known. In addition, we are located halfway between Quebec and Montreal. What could be better ? said Weightman.
THE QUALITY OF BOXERS
Trois-Rivières has the building and the organization with the Lions. But will we be able to build something solid with the rare GYM boxers?
“Yes, supports Yvon Michel. With the collaboration of Probellum, our partner, and the stars of GYM, I see no problem. »
On Friday, Mikaël Zewski has a really good opponent. He faces Carlos Ocampo, a young Mexican of 26 years. Ocampo is much better placed than Zewski in the BoxRec ranking, the bible of the discipline. Ocampo is 22andZewsky 60and. The challenge is real. The shock will be brutal.
But it was the Zewski clan who demanded a world-class opponent. All will be served.
Two other fights are worth going to the Colosseum. Sébastien Bouchard has the heart of a lion and despite injuries that have delayed his career and jeopardized his future as a boxer, it’s still electrifying to see him in the ring.
And Marie-Pier Houle, in my opinion, has the most beautiful boxing physique among Quebec women in the ring. She has not finished progressing.
THE COMPETITION… WINNING
In Shawinigan, it’s been a year since we saw the competition coming to Trois-Rivières. Roger Lavergne, Camille Estephan, Claude Vallée and a few others cleared, plowed and sowed a beautiful piece of land. One of the galas, that of Simon Kean against Adam Braidwood, had attracted 4800 paying spectators in the amphitheater. And another allowed TVA Sports to win an audience of 750,000 viewers for live boxing from Shawinigan.
Lavergne wants to be a good player in front of the Lions and GYM try to develop a market in Trois-Rivières. Weightman maintains that the Mauricie is capable of hosting two boxing organizations in the greater region. Lavergne is forced to agree the same with his professional hockey counterpart. But he is aware of its advantages.
“We’ve been working in Shawinigan for a long time. Competition is always good. Especially when you’re in front. »
It’s said with a small smile. But it announces in a few months a boxing gala in Shawinigan which will not be stung.
Basically, boxers and fans will win…
Halak in Montreal?
Do you remember the Halak spring of 2010. When Jaroslav Halak sat Carey Price on the bench to miraculously lead the Canadiens to the semi-finals in the playoffs? He had been incredible.
Price stayed in Montreal and Halak traveled extensively. But the record of his NHL career compares with that of Price. Apart from the star games.
Last summer, the Canadian really believed that Price could go to the expansion draft for Seattle. The goalkeeper had given his permission for the CH not to protect him on his list before the repechage.
Eventually, Ron Francis decided to pass. Maybe because of his $10.5 million salary, the condition of his knee or his personal issues. Or because of the three reasons and Angela.
Not Fleury
I had information that told me that Marc Bergevin planned to replace Price with Marc-André Fleury of the Vegas Golden Knights if Price left the organization.
I was wrong. The man Marc Bergevin wanted in an emergency was Halak.
“Marc Bergevin never called me to discuss Marc-André Fleury, explained to me the renowned Allan Walsh, Fleury’s agent. In fact, Bergevin called me to inquire about another client of mine. Jaroslav Halak. »
Eventually, Price stayed in Montreal, ended up in rehab and didn’t play all season. Until now.
And Halak isn’t breaking anything in Vancouver.
Miraculous springs only happen once, we must believe.