(Shawinigan) Behind the glass doors that cut off high winds, Camille Estephan greeted boxers and guests at the entrance to building 3B of Espace Shawinigan, a large room set up in the former aluminum smelter of the city of energy, which once housed Prime Minister Jean Chrétien’s museum.
Impeccably dressed as usual, the promoter chatted with Clint Butler, father of Steven Butler (31-3-1, 26 KOs), one of the headliners of the gala on Friday evening at the Center Gervais Auto .
Estephan was hoping to attract up to 4,500 spectators for the card which will feature heavyweight Arslanbek Makhmudov and super welterweight Mary Spencer, who will try to squeeze a world-first belt, the vacant IBO one, just his eighth professional fight.
The withdrawal of injured local heavyweight Simon Kean, the news of a snowstorm and perhaps the concern of mingling with large audiences in this infection-prone time may have chilled some, fears however the boss of Eye of the Tiger.
“I think we’ll be around 3,500, 4,000 if we’re lucky,” Estephan calculated a few minutes after the end of the weigh-in, where the 14 pugilists fulfilled this part of the contract.
“The first competition is the scale, it’s the first opponent,” said Spencer, who admitted a certain excitement before getting on it, even if respecting the 154 lb limit caused him no apprehension.
“People may think it’s just a weigh-in, but it’s a very important step today. It’s too early to become aggressive and ready to go, but it’s a first step to say, “Now I’m ready.” »
A few minutes later, the 38-year-old Montrealer stopped the needle at 152.6 lbs, exactly the same weight as her rival, Belgian Femke Hermans (13-4, 5 KOs). His husky Ellie barked in approval, under the amused gaze of Marie-Christine, Spencer’s wife from the place.
“A piece of Mary!” »
With 36 hours to go, Spencer and Hermans stared at each other with a stoic, vaguely threatening air for the traditional face-to-face.
The Belgian concedes three inches to her Canadian opponent, who expects to have to box with her knees a little more bent.
Few observers give chance to Hermans, who lost by K.-O. in the third round against the British Savannah Marshall in the spring. She also went the distance against American star Claressa Shields, in December 2018, a final decision loss after 10 bouts.
Spencer (7-0, 5 KOs) considers her his most formidable opponent: “Maybe some people don’t see it that way, but that’s certainly not my case or that of my team. I fought from 146 to 154 lbs in the pros. And even though she is now at 154 lbs, she fought between 168 and 184 lbs. It’s his lightest fight and I’m his smallest opponent. It’s my toughest fight and she’s my toughest opponent. It has to be considered. »
Hermans’ experience against Marshall and Shields, the two protagonists of a memorable clash watched by two million spectators in October, is an asset that Spencer does not take lightly.
“From the way she walks around here and the way she looks at me during face-to-face, I can tell you she’s a tough girl who doesn’t want to know anything, you know? Which basically says, “Yeah, I want a piece of Mary Spencer, let’s go!” I’ll focus more on that part once I get out of here after the weigh-in. »
“It could very well end there”
Spencer paused the interview for a few seconds to greet a group from the Kashechewan community in northern Ontario where she lived and is still very involved. The popularity and magnetism of the representative of the Ojibway nation are obvious.
Friday, it is in the face of Hermans that she will want to jump. Is a knockout a goal, a way to make yourself even more visible on the international scene?
“I’m just going to fight, assured the former three-time amateur world champion. But when I find the trick, it could very well end there. And I don’t think it will take 10 rounds to find the shot. Maybe a few rounds, but it’s really going to depend on how she can take it. If she can, we’ll fight 10 rounds. »
A win would not only get Spencer a first world crown, it would “open doors” for him on the international stage. Already, Shields has been eyeing him in a notable Twitter post earlier this week.
“There are looks on the fight, she summed up. She is a common rival to Claressa Shields and Savannah Marshall. People will compare the results. And when you start comparing, people start talking about it and doors open. »
For now, with the wind blowing under the gray skies of Shawinigan, it was better to keep them closed.
PHOTO VINCENT ETHIER PHOTOGRAPHY, VINCENT ETHIER
Arslanbek Makhmudov
The doorman
Speaking of gates, Michael Wallisch (23-5, 16 KOs) would be the “real business gatekeeper” for Arslanbek Makhmudov (15-0, 14 KOs), according to coach Marc Ramsay. The Montreal heavyweight will defend his NABA and NABF belts on Friday night.
” [Wallisch] a guy of international level, assured Ramsay. When he’s faced the real prospects, the guys who are headed straight for the world championship, people like Joe Joyce, he tends to slip away from the fights. All the others, he beats them. »
The coach compares the challenge of Wallisch to that of Poland’s Mariusz Wach, whom Makhmudov stopped in the sixth round in February. In the next fight, the Dagestan Lion had reached the limit for the first time in his career against Frenchman Carlos Takam.
“We can’t say whether this opponent is the most dangerous or not,” Makhmudov said after stroking his beard. Every fight is dangerous and difficult. At heavyweight, every punch can be the last of your life. This is why you have to be ready for all opposites. »
Makhmudov stopped the scale at 265.4 lbs, exactly 31 lbs heavier than the Munich Wallisch. “I’m preparing for 10 rounds,” Makhmudov said. Of course, if I have a chance to finish it, I’ll do it, if not, I’ll wait. It’s business, it’s my job. I’m not going there for shots cute. My job is to destroy people. “Wicked job.
The event will be broadcast live on PunchingGrace internationally, and on the ESPN+ network for the United States.