Eye of the tiger re-starts boxing in La Belle Province

After a lot of negotiating with health officials and the province’s athletic commission, Camille Estephan’s, Eye of the Tiger Management and Promotions was able to finally bring live boxing back to the province of Quebec, Canada. While the card didn’t feature a lot of fights, the quality was certainly there with exciting up and coming break-out stars along with world rated, former world middleweight champion David Lemieux in the headline slot. While social distancing regulations kept the house at limited capacity, local fight fans were thrilled to see live boxing back in Quebec and look forward to more events while the sports world waits to get back to normal.

The matchups saw fast-rising star Lexson Mathieu (8-0, 8 KO’s) going up against “Irish” Tim Cronin (12-4-2, 3 KO’s), undefeated NABF heavyweight champion Arslanbek Makhmudov (10-0, 10 KO’s) battling Dillon Carman (14-5, 13 KO’s) and local, former world champion, and Quebec star, David Lemieux (41-4, 34 KO’s) squaring off against fellow Quebec resident Fancy Ntetu (17-3 , 4 KO’s).

Makhmudov and Mathieu are looking to build on their local following before they take aim at the world stage while Lemieux is looking to position himself for another world title shot at the first opportunity.

Results

Local hero, and former IBF middleweight champion, David Lemieux (42-4, 35 KO’s) scored a KO 5 against Francy Ntetu (17-4, 4 KO’s) on Saturday night at the Centre Gervais Auto in Shawinigan, Quebec, Canada. Lemieux, considered one of the most powerful, one-punch boxers working today, pressed the action all night and slowly broke down veteran Ntetu. Two trips to the canvas in round five signalled the end for Ntetu.

Unbeaten NABF heavyweight champion Arslanbek Makhmudov (11-0, 11 KO’s) needed just 27 seconds to floor Dillon Carman (14-6, 13 KO’s). Makhmudov dropped Carman early and he rose looking like he could probably continue but the ref, erring on the side of caution, decided to wave it off.

In a clash for the vacant NABF super middleweight title, Lexson Mathieu (9-0, 8 KOs) scored a KO 1 over “Irish” Tim Cronin (12-5-2, 3 KOs). A left to the body spelled the end for the 6’ 2’’ Cronin. In a recent interview, promoter Camille Estephan predicted big things for Mathieu calling him a “future star”.

In closing…Speaking of champions – This article is dedicated to super middleweight boxer DeAndre Ware, who was awarded the key to the city in his native Toledo, Ohio this past Thursday. Ware, a Toledo fire fighter, got the honor for his heroic efforts when he helped to save the life of a long-time Top Rank Boxing staffer who collapsed just before weigh-in on September 4th in Las Vegas. Ware, in Sin City to fight undefeated Steven Nelson the following evening at the MGM Grand, jumped into action and used his training as an EMT to perform CPR until medical personnel arrived on the scene. Congratulations DeAndre, a champion in and out of the ring!