The GYM group’s permits are suspended for the next two months, and the boxing promoter, Yvon Michel, will not be able to be present at his group’s galas or at the boxers’ weigh-ins until mid-June, just decide the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux du Québec.
The vice-president of Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM), Alexandra Croft, will also not be able to be present during the galas, but will be able to attend the weigh-in of the boxers.
An administrative judge from the RACJ, Me Natalia Ouellette announced Tuesday morning her intention to ratify an agreement reached between GYM’s lawyers and those of the Régie following disgraceful incidents that occurred during a well-attended gala organized by Yvon Michel on October 7.
Clashes in the locker room
That evening, Quebec boxer Kim Clavel lost by split decision to Argentina’s Evelin Bermudez, double champion of the light flyweight category.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Kim Clavel and Evelin Bermudez
Before the fight, Yvon Michel had asked, in vain, that Quebec judge Benoit Roussel not be one of the three officials involved because he had a tendency to favor opposing boxers according to the promoter.
Mr. Roussel and a Chicago judge (two out of three) gave victory to Bermudez, while Michel and his boxer considered themselves to have won.
After the gala, Mr. Michel and Mme Croft allegedly verbally attacked RACJ officials, and the promoter shouted at a referee, before they were asked to leave the locker room.
Subsequently, the RACJ even asked security agents to escort Mr. Roussel to his car.
PHOTO HUGO-SÉBASTIEN AUBERT, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Yvon Michel and Kim Clavel
For the good name of sport
The Régie then summoned GYM to a hearing for having “exerted pressure, threatened or assaulted a representative of the Régie; for the good reputation of sport; for competent and honest exercise and for the public interest”, could we read in the notice of meeting.
After receiving the notice, Yvon Michel announced on X that he had sent letters of apology to the people who suffered his wrath on the evening of October 7.
In recent weeks, the RACJ litigation and the Yvon Michel Group reached an agreement.
“Mr Michel and Mme Croft admit to having made actions which may be associated with pressure tactics against employees of the Régie and that their conduct harmed the good name of the sport,” declared the RACJ litigation lawyer, Mr.e Jean-Philippe Beaudet.
“We will not go to the venues where we will perform, but I will be present at the weigh-ins the day before the events. It is our employees who will supervise the events,” testified M.me Croft.
For the moment, GYM has not announced the holding of any short-term events.
To contact Daniel Renaud, call 514 285-7000, ext. 4918, write to [email protected] or write to the postal address of The Press.