In a few more weeks, Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) will begin its ninth year of operation. As previously announced, the GYM Boxing Series “Fast & Furious” is back with an improved version 3.0 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, presented by Mise-O-Jeu and Videotron, supported by the Bell Centre and Evenko.
Stevenson vs. George
The main event of the evening is the long awaited International Boxing Federation (IBF) super middleweight title eliminator showdown between Quebec favorite Adonis “Superman” Stevenson (18-1-0, 15 KO) and American invader Donovan “Da Bomb” George (23-2-1 , 20 KO). The winner between these two powerful hitters will become the mandatory challenger to IBF champion Carl Froch, from England. George is currently at training camp in Florida and Stevenson is in his Detroit hideout under the supervision of Derreck Colemon. Unfortunately, Stevenson’s trainer and manager Emanuel Steward is not involved in his preparation having recently been hospitalized. He will undergo surgery at a hospital in Chicago this week.
“Despite the problems that afflict my coach,” Stevenson said, “I have prepared with professionalism and conviction. I will win this fight on October 12th! Meanwhile, we are all behind Emanuel with all our heart and wish him well to overcome his disease.”
David Lemieux in the co-feature
The spectacular and powerful Laval boxer, 23-year-old middleweight David Lemieux (26-2, 25 KOs), will be showcased in the 10-round co-feature. His takes on Mexican slugger Alvaro “The Cobra” Gaona (15-1-0, 12 KO), the World Boxing Council Fecombox champion since 2010, who turned professional in 2005. Gaona is a hard-hitting, aggressive and courageous fighter, evident by his 12 knockouts in 15 victories. His only loss as a pro was to Esau Errera (17-5-1, 8 KOs) in 2011, which Gaona avenged last June by a 10th round technical knockout.
After a difficult, injury-plagued 2011 and early 2012, Lemieux intends to finish this year strong. “Last weekend I was excited watching boxers in my division like (Sergio) Martinez, (Julio) Chavez Jr. and (Mathew) Macklin,” Lemieux commented. “I thought that is the level I want to be fighting at and as soon as possible. I know I’m not there, yet, but I am neglecting nothing, personally or professionally to get there. I assure you that I am not so too far away.”
Alvarez Rivas, Bizier Bence and John O’Donnell
World contenders, light heavyweight Eleider “Storm” Alvarez (9-0-0, 5 KOs) and welterweight Kevin Bizier (17-0-0, 12 KOs), both return to the ring Oct. 12 in stay busy fights with very important battles on the horizon. NABO champion Alvarez will face Hungarian Daniel Regi (15-6, 7 KOs) in an eight-round bout, while NABA champion Bizier will confront Polish Patrick Litkiewicz (6-0-0, 3KO) in a six-round match. Also fighting on the undercard are promising GYM heavyweights Oscar “Kaboom” Rivas 11-0, 6 KOs), who faces Joey Dawejko (7-1-1, 3 KOs), of Philadelphia, in an eight-round fight, and Didier “Big Daddy” Bence (5-0, 2 KOs) meets Joseph Harris (11-12, 9 KOs), of Tennessee, in a six rounder.
Former British junior middleweight champion John O’Donnell (25-2, 11 KOs) fighting out of a London and a British protégé of Hennessy Sports Canada’s Adam Harris, is in Montreal helping Antonin Decarie (26-1, 7 KOs) prepare for his extremely important fight September 29 against lefty Alex Perez (16-0, 9 KOs) on HBO. O’Donnell will battle Dominican Thomas Mendez (16-2, 9 KOs) on the Oct. 12 show in an eight-round contest.
Fighting charities
As announced at the launch of the series last month, GYM will be presenting a fight for a charitable cause between two people uninitiated to the sport of boxing in a clash of three, two-minute rounds, under the supervision of Boxing Quebec. At stake in this challenge is a $ 2,000 purse that will be given to the charitable organization chosen by the winner. In addition to serving a good cause, the purpose of this exercise is to the give an opportunity to two people who could never imagine a day of climbing in the ring and living the same emotions as real boxers. The inaugural “charity” fight will pit Gabriel Jauvin, sommelier from the Pullman, 3424Park Avenue, vs. Denis Lessard, a butler from Le Filet 219 rue Mont-Royal O, in the cruiserweight division. These two boxers for a day have chosen to award their winning purse, respectively, to the foundation of Père Sablon or foundation Ali and Princes Street.
President Yvon Michel of GYM is delighted to back the aforementioned action, saying, “This is our first event since June, after an absence of four months, which is very rare for our organization. We all know why! But that is now history and we are all very excited about getting back in action with our best boxers, especially in the main event that features our new national hero, the dynamic Adonis ‘Superman’ Stevenson. While the sports scene is quieter than usual, we will be presenting a spectacular evening full of emotions. It is a night not to be missed!”
The “Fast & Furious” 3.0 version series is also accessible to all in the comfort of their homes, airing on television through Canal Indigo, Bell TV, Shaw TV and in the US on WealthTV.
GYM wishes to thank its key partners, including Pierre Bibeau Loto Quebec, Robert Dépatie Videotron, Pierre Dion and Serge Fortin TVA Sports, Jacques Aubé of Evenko, Charles Benoit and Martin Spalding Astral Radio, Coors Light, Marc Roberge, Martin Trudel and Guy St-Pierre Tonikgroupimage, Marcel Savard BLlitho, Houston restaurants, Adidas and Rival. Almost all have been with GYM since the beginning of our adventure. Their participation and support is very important and greatly appreciated.
The public is invited on Oct. 12th to Bell Centre for the innovative and popular GYM Boxing Series, “Fast and Furious.” Tickets are on sale now at the Bell Centre, on evenko.ca, and by calling GYM at (514) 383.0666 at the following prices:
One Event Season
$40.50 $144 ($36 per ticket)
$70.50 $246 ($61.50 per ticket)
$110.50 $382 ($95.50 per a ticket)
Ringside $160.50 $552 ($138 per ticket)
Tables (8) $226.08 $774.96 ($193.74 per ticket)
