Following a 12 months filled with triumphs, ascents, and classes discovered, Eye of the Tiger (EOTTM) appears again on 2024 with a extremely optimistic evaluation
To start, it’s unimaginable to not point out the spectacular begin to the 12 months that started final January.
The Beterbiev vs. Smith occasion was undeniably the occasion of the last decade in Quebec. Held on the Centre Vidéotron in entrance of greater than 10,000 spectators, Artur Beterbiev’s return to the ring in entrance of his Quebec supporters was additionally watched stay by practically 800,000 American viewers on ESPN, along with hundreds extra on Punching Grace.
This occasion additional solidified Quebec Metropolis as a world boxing vacation spot, with two extra visits from the American boxing large scheduled in 2025—a feat solely three venues have achieved in North America.
Within the co-main occasion, Christian Mbilli (28-0, 23 KOs) seized the chance to make his title heard on the worldwide stage. By demolishing Rohan Murdock—then the IBF’s Ninth-ranked contender—in 6 rounds, he satisfied the High Rank promoter to supply him an opportunity to develop into a rising star on ESPN’s community.
From there, the fighter often called ‘Solide’ continued his momentum. First, in Could, he destroyed British champion Mark Heffron within the first spherical. Then, in August, he dominated triple world-title contender Sergiy Derevyanchenko—who was ranked seventh by the WBC—like nobody had ever earlier than, in entrance of an enthusiastic crowd of over 5,000 individuals on the Centre Vidéotron.
With these three victories, Mbilli appears nearer than ever to his objective of world domination, now ranked #1 by the WBC and WBA, in addition to #2 and #3 by the WBO and IBF.
Nonetheless, if 2024 was the 12 months of ‘Solide’s’ continued ascent, it was additionally the 12 months of the explosive arrival of the terrifying Cuban twister, Osleys Iglesias (13-0, 12 KOs), to EOTTM.
The IBO World Champion within the super-middleweight division definitely exceeded the already excessive expectations positioned on him in North America. In March, it took him only one spherical to demolish former world-title contender Marcelo Coceres. In June, ‘El Twister’ stopped Evgeny Shvedenko—within the first spherical once more—however this time with a knockout so devastating it went viral, with hundreds of thousands of views.
Returning once more in August, he made fast work of Ghanaian contender Sena Agbeko. ‘The African Murderer’ had by no means been knocked down in his profession, however Iglesias despatched him to the canvas within the first spherical and stopped him within the subsequent. Lastly, in November, the twister completed the 12 months sturdy by stopping undefeated Ukrainian contender Petro Ivanov—then 20-0—with a lightning-fast proper hand within the fifth spherical.
This marked his third profitable protection of his IBO title whereas bringing him nearer to the opposite belts, as he’s ranked 4th and seventh within the WBC and IBF standings.
As well as, Eye of the Tiger reached new heights in championship bouts this 12 months. Of the 80 fights participated in by its 23 athletes, 24 had been championship fights, with a complete of 31 titles at stake. Due to this spectacular file, EOTTM was named Promoter of the 12 months for the third consecutive time by the North American Boxing Federation (NABF).
Furthermore, two new NABF champions had been topped in Quebec this 12 months. Amongst them, Arthur Biyarslanov (17-0, 14 KOs), often called ‘The Wolf,’ already efficiently defended his title twice. The Olympic athlete from the Rio Video games, who joined EOTTM final winter, is now ranked sixteenth within the WBC super-lightweight division.
Within the light-heavyweight division, Imam Khataev (9-0, 9 KOs) had a 12 months as explosive as his file suggests. The Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist received the NABF title in January by defeating Polish champion Michal Ludwiczak. The Chechen powerhouse then destroyed high 25 contender Ricards Bolotniks, Olympic boxer Ezequiel Maderna, and high 15 world contender Yunior Menendez. His distinctive 12 months now sees him ranked seventh and eighth by the WBC and IBF.
Additionally at 175 kilos, Albert Ramirez (19-0, 16 KOs) received the WBA worldwide light-heavyweight title in January towards Artur Ziyatdinov, and defended it in August towards former world-title contender Adam Deines. The Venezuelan pleasure of EOTTM is now one of many highest-ranked contenders on the planet, because the 12 months ends, ranked #2 by the WBA and WBO, and #3 and #4 by the WBC and IBF.
As for the WBC Continental Americas title, EOTTM newcomer Dzmitry Asanau (9-0, 4 KOs) received the light-weight model of the inexperienced belt in November by defeating highly effective Argentine puncher Matias Rueda by knockout within the fifth spherical.
In girls’s boxing, the harvest was simply as spectacular, as EOTTM celebrated the crowning of its first and second world champions. First, the WBA world title at 154 kilos was received by the persevering Olympian Mary Spencer (9-2, 6 KOs) in September.
Additionally, the historic victory in March by Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse (7-2, 2 KOs), who, by claiming the WBC world heavyweight title, grew to become the third Quebec girl to win a world championship.
In the meantime, Leïla Beaudoin (12-1, 1 KO) took an essential step towards the highest by changing into the WBO worldwide champion at 130 kilos in August.
With a mixture of dazzling and resilient performances, a number of different EOTTM athletes completed the 12 months with excessive rankings within the world standings.
Within the super-middleweight division, Erik Bazinyan (32-1-1, 23 KOs) made his mark within the U.S. by providing strong opposition to former world champion Jaime Munguia. With this expertise behind him, Bazinyan will restart his climb to the highest in 2025, nonetheless ranked tenth by the WBC, WBA, and IBF.
Steve Claggett (39-8-2, 27 KOs) additionally proved that he belongs within the ring with the perfect on the planet. In June, in Miami, ‘The Dragon’ put immense strain on the world super-lightweight champion, Teofimo Lopez, for 12 rounds. Following this honorable loss, Claggett instantly returned to coaching and, by October, was again on the profitable path, transferring as much as thirteenth within the WBC rankings.
Lastly, Montrealer Christopher Guerrero (12-0, 7 KOs) made his first breakthrough on the world stage. With three victories, together with spectacular performances towards Individuals Kenny Larson and Courtney Pennington, ‘Machine Gun’ reached the fifteenth spot within the IBF’s 147-pound division.
As for the rising stars, a number of athletes additionally made a mark this 12 months. EOTTM noticed important progress from 19- and 21-year-olds Wilkens Mathieu (12-0, 8 KOs) and Jhon Orobio (12-0, 11 KOs). Due to their distinctive expertise and work ethic, the 2 Montrealers had been probably the most energetic boxers within the nation, every incomes seven victories in 2024.
5 different names additionally caught consideration. Amongst them, Alexandre Gaumont (12-0, 8 KOs) was victorious 3 times, together with in his first profession ultimate.
On the similar occasion, Luis Santana (13-0, 6 KOs) additionally earned his third victory of the 12 months, delivering presumably the spherical of the 12 months to the Quebec viewers.
The younger sensation often called ‘The Future,’ Avery Martin-Duval (12-0-1, 7 KOs), triumphed twice, together with in his first semi-final in Could.
The electrifying Thomas Chabot (11-0, 8 KOs) from Thetford Mines additionally secured a double win.
Montreal-based Mehmet Unal (11-0, 9 KOs) received his first two 10-round bouts with out ever going the space, whereas Moreno Fendero (8-0, 6 KOs) continued his highly effective ascent with six victories this 12 months!
“Internationally, 2024 has been the perfect 12 months in our historical past. And the technique we wish to proceed in 2025 is to arrange the native fights our followers need, and use them as a springboard to the worldwide scene. We’re beginning sturdy with Erik Bazinyan going through Steven Butler, however we’re removed from stopping there,” stated Eye of the Tiger President Camille Estephan.
