Boxing: Challenge taken up for Simon Kean

Simon Kean had a broad smile in the ring, Thursday evening at the Casino de Montreal, after having passed the K.-O. to American Eric Molina with a powerful right.

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The Quebecer knew he had just obtained an important victory for the rest of his career. It was in the seventh round that Kean (23-1, 22 KOs) knocked out Molina (29-9, 21 KOs) with a powerful right.

“I felt he was tired and I hit him solidly, commented Kean, with the victory in his pocket. Otherwise, I was not shaken once during the fight.

Kean, 34, had previously hit the 40-year-old American numerous times with his jab.

“It’s my second most satisfying career victory after the one against Carman in Shawinigan,” said the Quebecer.

Recall that Kean then took revenge, on June 15, 2019, on the one who inflicted his only career defeat, the previous year, in Quebec.

Alexis Barrière, who recently challenged Kean, had a front row seat to witness this battle. This victory against Molina could however improve the chances of the boxer from Mauricie to obtain a fight of international stature.

Orobio: new gem?

The future of boxing in Quebec is also in good hands: Jhon Orobio, 19, and Wilkens Mathieu, 18, each won their fight Thursday evening in a gala presented at the Casino de Montréal.

Hailing from Cali, Colombia, Orobio (1-0, 1 KO) is coach Marc Ramsay’s new gem. He made a successful professional debut with Eye of the Tiger Management by beating Mexican Alejandro Medina De La Rosa (2-2, 2 K.-O.) in the first round. Referee Alain Villeneuve stopped the fight after one minute and 35 seconds.

“The challenge was mainly in the fact of playing a first professional fight, but we saw that the potential and the talent are there, despite his young age”, commented Ramsay.

“It was motivating to fight in such an atmosphere, in front of boxing enthusiasts,” declared Orobio, via an interpreter, who arrived in Quebec only last week.

About Mathieu (2-0, 1 KO), he defeated Mexican veteran Jose Gonzalez Saldana (1-3-1, 0 KO) who, at 36, had double his age. A victory by unanimous decision of the judges at the end of the four rounds, thanks to three cards of 40-36.

Leïla Beaudoin still undefeated

Among the other duels of the evening, Quebecer Leïla Beaudoin also remained undefeated, collecting her ninth win in as many fights since the start of her professional career. She won by unanimous decision against her Mexican opponent Laura Avendano Mondragon.

In a tough battle, Canadian Steve Claggett (34-7-2, 24 K.-O.) had the upper hand by K.-O. technique on the Mexican Rafael Guzman Lugo (26-3-2, 16 KOs), who gave up after seven rounds.

Luis Santana (9-0, 3 KOs) won against Francisco Arturo Ramirez Martinez (11-5, 6 KOs).

Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse (4-1, 1 K.-O.) has for her part succeeded in her return to the ring, her last fight dating back to 2017. The 27-year-old Quebecer defeated the American Princess Hairston (2 -2-1, 2 KOs) by unanimous decision.