Groupe Yvon Michel has several boxers at the gates of important fights, whether Kim Clavel, Mathieu Germain or Mazlum Akdeniz. For them, as for the Montreal promoter, the 20e year of GYM’s existence will be a turning point.
Yvon Michel and a good part of his stable were at the Montreal Casino on Tuesday to present their 2024 activities, which will be officially launched with a gala featuring Germain (23-2-1, 9 KOs) on March 14. The 34-year-old Quebecer is ranked ninth among the welterweight contenders in the International Boxing Federation (IBF).
Clavel (17-2, 3 KOs) and Akdeniz (19-0, 8 KOs) will secure the finals of the following two galas, April 4 and May 16.
In addition to these three headliners, Michel promised to put his two other boxers, Marie-Pier Houle (9-1-1, 2 KOs) and Caroline Veyre (6-0) on the fast track towards a world championship. Michel notably received an interesting offer for Houle to compete against the Olympic gold medalist from the Tokyo Games, the British Lauren Price, which means that the name of his protégé has been circulating in the upper echelons since her fight against Sandy Ryan .
The promoter will therefore have to be at the top of his game for the backstage games which will be necessary to position all his fighters at the forefront of international boxing.
“You know me, one of my strengths has always been to navigate this well,” he answered the question from The Canadian Press. I know everyone in the industry, whether they are promoters or association leaders. When we had boxers who were ready, who had perfected their training and who deserved their place in these major fights, we were always able to get them there. It doesn’t change. »
“Caroline, let’s bring him. Marie-Pier, we have already had offers, which we refused. And Kim, we’re going to create opportunities. »
The Quebec promoter also received a surprising proposal from Yesica Nery Plata, winner of Clavel in January 2023. The Mexican would like GYM to take care of the promotion of a possible fight to unify the four belts in the light flyweight category against Evelyn Bermudez, who herself triumphed over Clavel in October.
“Bermudez’s manager told me she had a mandatory defense of her World Boxing Organization title first. [WBO], but she came back to me afterwards, telling me that it was really interesting and in what kind of conditions, explained Michel. I have already contacted international broadcasters to see what kind of resources I could have to put on this fight. I expect answers very soon. I hope I can make this happen. Kim would be at the same gala. »
Bermudez’s promoter even took the suggestion a little further.
“What Georgina Rivero sees is that the winner of the second duel would give another chance to the loser of the first fight,” Michel said. They are three excellent boxers and I think it would be a big seller internationally. All three could come out on top. »
“If I had the opportunity to fight for all four belts, I think it would be extremely exciting,” Clavel said. I think it would be the pinnacle of my career. It’s a dream that I see as attainable: I boxed against these two girls, I know that I am at their level. »
Without anything being formalized yet, Michel noted that the discussions have reached far enough that he feels comfortable discussing it publicly. A file to follow.
Yet another return of Pascal?
Michel also mentioned a magical name within Quebec boxing, that of Jean Pascal. He and the pugilist met recently and Pascal, eager to forget his last outing at light heavyweight against the German Michael Eiffert, is considering exploring his options at light heavyweight.
“I’m watching it with a lot of interest,” Michel said of Pascal’s projects.
GYM also wishes to set up a series of amateur boxing galas in partnership with Boxe Montréal and Ring 83. An announcement will be made later on this subject.
Finally, if GYM will concentrate its activities at the start of the year at the Cabaret du Casino de Montréal, it is exploring the possibilities of returning to a large amphitheater, whether at Place Bell or the Videotron Center, for next fall.
“I can’t announce anything at the moment, but we have a good idea,” Michel said. We know what it’s going to take to get out of the Casino and make it interesting for a major amphitheater. People will understand in the coming months. »
Without RDS
This 20e year of GYM will, however, pass without the support of one of its main partners for several years, namely the Réseau des Sports (RDS), which has decided to put on ice the broadcast of boxing galas, those of the Montreal group like those of international promoters.
“What I was told is that for the moment, there will no longer be the regular events, but that they planned to do the important elements,” said Michel. So this is not the end of boxing at RDS, but it will certainly be different. »
“It’s certain that I loved my 34 years there. I’m sure eventually we’ll go back. »
GYM is already working to find other ways to address the missing revenue caused by this removal from the grid. The streaming video site GymBoxe.tv, launched last year, is already doing its part, believes Michel.