This is my favorite story of the year so far. That of Vanessa Lepage-Joanissethe boxer and educator at the CPE les Vers à Choux in Mont-Laurier.
Sometimes, without even looking for it, we contribute to something beautiful.
We remember Vanessa. Five years ago, she fought in the world championship in Cancún, Mexico against a champion who turned out to be bloated on steroids. Concussion and car accident drove her into a horrific depression. She soared to 315 pounds and nothing reminded me of the boxer she had been.
She picked herself up and yesterday when I told her about Cuernavaca in Mexico where she will be fighting against Valeria Segovia Alonzo tonight, she was beaming: “My life is a total upheaval!” she laughed during the conversation.
THE LETTER FROM THE MINISTER OF THE FAMILY
The one of Log obviously caught the eye. Vanessa has given a dozen radio and TV interviews. So much so that after reading the article, the office of the Minister of the Family, Mme Suzanne Roy, contacted the management of the early childhood center where Vanessa works as an educator. The manager was worried. Why was the department investigating this way? We quickly reassured her. We just wanted to check if the boxer was a good educator with her little ones from 18 to 24 months.
It stayed there. Except that a week later, while Vanessa was heading to Saguenay with Jeff Dufour, her bowling partner, the CPE joined her: “Vanessa, hold on tight. It was the minister herself who wrote to congratulate you on living your passion for boxing and your devotion to the little children entrusted to your care. She writes that you are an inspiring model that Quebec needs,” said Vanessa, who was preparing for her official weigh-in in a couple of hours in Mexico.
And the worst part is that she does not yet have the famous letter in her hand: “I had a mini-cough and I didn’t want to spread it to the children. And I was at the end of training camp. They digitized it for me and when I come back, I will finally be able to touch the original,” she laughs.
AT LEAST 190 POUNDS IN FRONT OF HER
Women’s boxing is full of upheavals. Especially in the heavyweights. 180-pound women who box are not legion. It was enough for her victory at the Casino on March 23 for Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse to find herself fourth in the world. Yes, fourth in the world. Must say that she had been Canadian champion and that she had already fought in the world championship.
Simply put, a win tonight in Mexico and the road to a world title fight will be wide open. And when I say road, I say road. The champion and number one contender are New Zealanders. Below the ball. Or on the edge of the world for Georges Laraque and the defenders of the flat earth.
Let’s hope that the road can be done in the other direction and that the dream fight can be held in Montreal.
But first, there is Valeria Segovia Alonzo. It should just be a formality. But in boxing, especially in heavyweight, you never know.
This Valeria has always boxed at 159-162 pounds. And it’s not a big career, to put it mildly. Moreover, until last Friday, Vanessa was preparing for Giovanna Gonzalez who withdrew at the last minute. We found Valeria on Saturday.
On Wednesday, Vanessa crossed paths with the Mexican. She did not know who this woman was, a bit downy: “She is your opponent”, slipped Stéphane Joanisse, her trainer: “Well, in boxing, I am always suspicious. A slap may surprise you. But Valeria is a 160-pounder who gained at least 35 pounds. Moreover, to respect the clauses of the contract, she must lose at least four pounds before the weigh-in. I’ve never seen a video, I have no idea of his style. You will have to adjust. I am prepared as much to box at a distance as to enter a close style, ”explains the boxer.
SMALL CABBAGES
Next week, Vanessa will find her cabbage worms and her letter from the minister: “My little ones aren’t really aware that I’m a boxer. Or what boxing is. But the parents who sometimes come for the snack are adorable. And not a single one shows an unfavorable prejudice because I invest myself in my passion. For at least another three or four years.”
Three or four years? The cabbage worms are going to be six years old?
They will understand…
Beterbiev-Callum Smith in Montreal?
Top Rank won the bidding for the world title fight between Artur Beterbiev and Callum Smith. Yesterday in London, Eddie Hearns said he expected the fight to end up in Montreal.
Top Rank and Eye of the Tiger Management have an agreement regarding Makhmudov and Simon Kean in the United States. The alliance is already drawn.
According to what is being said in the circles concerned, we would target Montreal in the last two weeks of August.
OUT THE CHAMPION!
In addition, go back to read Mathieu Boulay’s article which tells how Artur Beterbiev and Arslanbek Makhmudov are thrown out of their public gym at the Center Claude-Robillard. As well as their physical trainer, André Kulesza.
The one throwing them out is Frédérik Laberge.
Until February, Laberge was Kim Clavel’s physical trainer.
Stéphan Larouche, tenant of the other boxing gym at Center Robillard, is the manager of Kim Clavel.
Stéphan Larouche fired Kulesza as physical trainer for Lucian Bute to replace him with Alain Delorme from Actiforme.
It is the Actiforme trainers who will henceforth be the only accredited ones at the gym.
Of course, these are just coincidences of life…
IN THE NOTEBOOK
Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse has received many accolades. Kim Clavel was also entitled to great honors for her work during the pandemic. And Yves Ulysse deserves a lot for his involvement in the community.