Boxing's "Batman" ==> Super middleweight Schiller Hyppolite is Canada's next great fighter

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release Schiller "Batman" Hyppolite (black trunks) lands a devastating right uppercut in this picture MONTREAL (October 29, 2014) - Boxing has its "Superman" -- World Boxing Council (WBC) light heavyweight champion Adonis Stevenson -- and from the same country, ironically, comes "Batman" -- world super middleweight contender Schiller Hyppolite (13-0-1, 9 KOs). The 28-year-old Hyppolite, like Stevenson, was born in Haiti and he also lives in Montreal. Hyppolite has won eight straight fights and is world rated by the International Boxing Federation (IBF) at No. 15, as well as No. 19 by the WBC. The multi-talented boxer-puncher headlines a show November 21, presented by his promoter Camille Estephan's company, Eye of the Tiger Management (EOTTM), streaming live in high definition on www.punchinggrace.com from Colisee Cardin in Sorel-Tracy, Quebec. Hyppolite faces Alan Campa (10-1, 7 KOs) in the 12-round main event for the vacant IBF North American and WBC Continental Americas 168-pound titles. If not for a major attitude adjustment after suffering his lone loss as a professional in 2012, to then 7-0 Francy Ntetu by six-round split decision, Hyppolite would probably be a struggling journeyman instead of one of the hottest prospects in boxing, "Batman." "I was undisciplined when I lost that fight," Hyppolite explained. "I was not doing well at that time, but I had an opportunity to spar for a month with Tavoris Cloud and that changed my life. I started doing what I was supposed to be doing to accomplish my goals in the ring. That changed everything and now I work hard every day in the gym. I'm definitely 'The Next One' out of Canada. I work so hard that I can't see why I won't be the next great fighter from up here." Cloud was preparing to fight living legend Bernard Hopkins, who Hyppolite not only idolizes but is somewhat similar to, style-wise, in the squared circle. "I would love to spar with Bernard Hopkins," Schiller gushes. "He's so smart in the ring. I'm sneaky like him; I move around a lot and make adjustments, too. I'm a boxer but can go to war when I have to. My heart is with Bernard for his fight with (Sergey) Kovalev.   A native of Haiti, Hyppolite has closely followed his fellow countrymen in Canada: Stevenson and former world light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal, as well as his EOTTM stable-mates, WBC heavyweight champion Bermane "BWare" Stiverne, and former world junior lightweight title challenger Dierry "Dough Style" Jean. "I'm glad to be with other Haitian fighters here who have done so well in boxing," Hyppolite noted. "Today, when people here about a Haitian boxer, they know he's a good fighter." "Someday, 'Batman' will out do 'Superman,'" Estephan commented. "He's always been a nice kid but he had a bad attitude. He was kicked off the Canadian National Team. His coach, 1996 Canadian Olympian and NABF heavyweight champion Jean Francois Bergeron, asked me about getting Hyppolite a fight. I saw him in the gym and liked what I saw. I got him a six-round fight. He clearly won five rounds but was showboating. The judges didn't like him and he lost a split decision. Schiller needed to and made an attitude adjustment after that fight and since then he's won eight fight with seven knockouts. He's also worked very hard on strength and conditioning for the past two years. "Schiller is more talented than (Lucian) Bute, Stevenson or Pascal at the same point in their careers. He's slick, dangerous and fast. Sparring with Cloud really changed things for him. His confidence improved after that training camp and another in which he sparred with (Gennady) Golovkin. He proved himself against those guys as being a very talented fighter capable of adjusting during a fight. Schiller is EOTTM's top prospect and I'm confidence that he will eventually surpass Bute, Stevenson and Pascal." Unlike these aforementioned Canadian fighters who graduated from super middleweights to light heavyweights, Hyppolite has no plans to move up from 168 to 175 pounds, at least in the immediate future. In 2015, hopefully, he'll get a world title shot. "I figure in a year, 1 ½ years, I will be fighting for a world title," Hyppolite concluded. "I know that Camille will get me a world title shot, as long as I keep winning and improving. I don't really care which world champion I fight but, if I had a choice, I'd want to fight Andre Ward because he's the best super middleweight in the world right now." For further information about EOTTM, Hyppolite or any of his stable-mates please visit www.eottm.comand follow on Twitter @eotmvd.

'RED DAWN' Saturday night in Montreal Artur Beterbiev vs. Tavoris Cloud NABA Light Heavyweight Championship

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release Also the return of charismatic Stephane Ouellet MONTREAL (September 24, 2014) - Two-time Russian Olympian Artur Beterbiev (5-0-0, 5 KOs) steps up in class this Saturday night (Sept. 27) as he headlines "Red Dawn" against former International Boxing Federation (IBF) light heavyweight champion Tavoris "Thunder" Cloud (24-2-0, 19 KOs) in the 12-round main event for the vacant North American Boxing Association (NABA) 175-pound title at famed Bell Centre in Montreal. "Red Dawn" is co-promoted by Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) and InterBox, in association with Eye of the Tiger Management (EOTTM) and the participation of Don King Productions (DKP), and co-presented by Mise-O-Jeu and Videotron. The 29-year-old Beterbiev, who moved to Montreal last year, is on the fast track to stardom. Beterbiev has a rich amateur pedigree having captured gold medals in the 2006 World Cup in Baku and 2008 World Cup in Moscow, as well as at the 2009 World Championships in Milan. During his incredible amateur career, Beterbiev was crowned Russian and European champion, and his amateur victims include present WBO Sergey Kovalev twice, WBO world title challenger Ismayl Sillah, U.S. Olympian Michael Hunter Jr., and 2007 World Championships gold medalist Abbos Atoev. Beterbiev turned pro in 2013 and he is undefeated with all five victories coming by knockout, fighting a total of only 11 rounds, compared to Cloud's 130. The 32-year-old Cloud, fighting out of Tallahassee, Florida, currently world rated byThe Ring Magazine (#7), as well as WBC #9 and WBA #14, is attempting to reposition himself for another world title shot. Cloud won the IBF light heavyweight title in 2009 with a 12-round decision over Clinton Woods (42-4-1, 25 KOs). He successfully defended his IBF title four times against former world champions Glen Johnson (50-13-2, 34 KOs) and Gabriel Campillo (21-3-1, 8 KOs), as well as challengers Fulgencio Zuniga (24-4-1, 21 KOs) and Yusaf Mack (29-3-2, 17 KOs).    Cloud's undefeated win streak was halted in 2013 at 24, when he lost his IBF title by 12-round decision to living legend Bernard Hopkins (52-6-2, 32 KOs). Cloud was stopped later that year in seven rounds by WBC light heavyweight champion Adonis "Superman" Stevenson (24-1-0, 20 KOs) at Bell Centre. In the co-feature, former world title challenger Dierry "Dougy Style" Jean (26-1-0, 18 KOs), fighting out of Montreal by way of Haiti, will defend his North Amrican Boxing Federation (NABF) lightweight title against Mexican invader Daniel "Cañerito" Ruiz (32-7- 2, 22 KOs) in a 12-round bout.  Jean, who is ranked No. 10 by the WBC, is battling his way back to another world title shot. Former No. 1 contender Stephane Ouellet (29-5, 18 KOs), of Jonquiere, Quebec, returns to action in a four-round middleweight fight against Belgium import Cedric Spera (10-2, 2 KOs). His return is creating a lot of interest in Quebec. He is one of the most beloved and charismatic fighter of the history of Canadian boxing. At 43 he is not dreaming of world championship fights but to redeem himself after been knockout twice in his last two fights, in the second round against Omar Sheika in 2001 in Las Vegas and against Joachim Alcine in the first round, at the Montreal Bell Center, in an ill-advised return in 2004.  A pair of popular Quebec-based, world-rated welterweights, former world title challenger Antonin Decarie (30-2, 9 KOs) and Kevin Bizier (21-1, 14 KOs), will be in separate fights. WBC #6, WBO #10 and IBF #11 faces Ivan Pereyra (19-3, 13 KOs), of Belgium, in a 10-round fight, while IBF #6 Bizier meets Laszlo "Bulldog" Fazekas (25-15-1, 17 KOs), of Hungry, in an eight-round match. Three undefeated Canadian prospects round-out a solid top-to-bottom card.  Montreal super lightweight Junior Ulysse (3-0, 3 KOs) hopes to keep his KO streak alive against unbeaten Polish opponent Krystian Huczko (2-0), and Laval super middleweight Eric Bazinian (5-0-0, 3 KOs) puts his unblemished record on the line versus Baptise Castegnaro (5-2, 2 KOs), of France, in a pair of six-round matches.  Montreal super welterweight Steven Butler (4-0, 3 KOs) meets his toughest opponent to date, Frenchman Bernard Follea (5-2-1, 1 KO), in a four-round bout. Tickets are on sale and available to purchase at Bell Centre, online atwww.evenko.ca, or by calling GYM (514 383-0666) and the club Boxing Champion(514 376-0980). Ticket prices range from $50 in the red to $250 on the floor.                                                                  -30-   ABOUT GROUPE YVON MICHEL, INC.: Founded in 2004, Yvon Michel's GYM's mission is the development of high-level boxers by providing a supportive coaching and especially management competition. GYM is active in recruiting talent in order to achieve its objectives and event planning. Since its founding nine years ago, GYM has promoted 117 events, including ticket and PPV viewing history making fights such as Pascal vs. Hopkins I and II. GYM has produced more than 300 hours of television with Canal Indigo, Bell TV, Shaw TV, TVA Sports, VOX, TVA, CBC, RDS and V, in Canada, as well as HBO, Showtime and ESPN in the USA. A total of seven different GYM boxers have fought in 21 world championship fights. Under the tutelage of GYM, Joachim Alcine captured the WBA super welterweight title in 2007 and Jean Pascal the WBC light heavyweight championship in in 2009. Since June of 2013, Adonis "Superman" Stevenson has held the WBC light heavyweight title. In addition to also being The Ring and lineal light heavyweight champion, Stevenson was named the 2013 Boxer of the Year by The Ring, Sports Illustrated and many other publications.

Dierry Jean preparing to make major statement Sept. 27 in Montreal vs. Daniel Ruiz

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release   MONTREAL (September 11, 2014) - North American Boxing Federation (NABF) lightweight champion Dierry "Dougy Style" Jean (26-1, 18 KOs) will make his first title defense September 27 against Mexican challenger Daniel "Canerito" Ruiz (32-7-2, 22 KOs) at the famed Bell Centre in Montreal. The 12-round bout will be the co-feature on the "Red Dawn" card, headlined by a North American Boxing Association (NABA) light heavyweight title fight between two-time Russian Olympian Artur Beterbiev (5-0-0, 5 KOs) and former International Boxing Federation (IBF) champion Tavoris "Thunder" Cloud (24-2-0, 19 KOs). In his last action this past June, Jean stopped Mario Perez (15-5-4) in the eighth round for the vacant NABF lightweight crown, five months after losing a unanimous 12-round decision (118-111, 116-112, 116-113) to International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior welterweight champion Lamont Peterson. "Honestly," Jean said, "I didn't go to lightweight because I thought it was going to be harder at 140 pounds. I'm not getting any younger, so I thought it could open doors to fight in two divisions. I want to get a world title shot as soon as possible. I do feel a little stronger and imposing at 135. I don't take any of my opponents lightly but, after this fight, I want a title shot at Omar Figueroa or Terence Crawford, at 135 or 140." Upset-minded Ruiz, who is a former International Boxing Organization (IBO) super featherweight champion, knocked off hot Irish prospect and previously unbeatenJamie Kavanagh (15-0-1) last December by way of a sixth-round knockout. Ruiz has been the distance with Rey Bautista (33-2), losing a 12-round split decision in 2012 for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) International featherweight championship, in addition to dropping a 10-round majority decision in 2011 to unbeaten Canadian contender Logan McGuinness (14-0-1). "I can't wait for this fight to happen," Jean added. "Even though he is still young, Ruiz is experienced. He has a good left hook and is a powerful puncher as his record indicates (22 KOs in 32 wins). But I'm in great shape; I'm going to destroy him, stop him, because it's 'Dougy Style' time!" "Dierry is fighting a dangerous opponent," Jean's promoter CamilleEstephan (Eye of the Tiger Management - "EOTTM") noted. "We're didn't bring in a second-rate lightweight. Ruiz has power and a track record for knocking off top prospects. He's lost to some good guys like Abner Cotto, Bautista and McGuinness. "Derry gained a lot of attention winning the NABF title. He wants to make a major statement this fight in order to get a big fight with Figueroa or Crawford. He's ready for them. Dierry learned a lot in the Peterson fight and we're giving him every opportunity to get him right back on top, ASAP." A loaded undercard card will showcase two other EOTTM fighters, world welterweight title challenger Antonin Decarie (30-2-0, 9 KOs) against Mexican invader Ivan "El Ruso" Pereyra (19-3, 13 KOs) in a 10-round fight, along with sensational junior middleweight prospect Steven Butler (4-0-0, 3 KOs) in a four-round bout vs. TBA.                     "Red Dawn" is co-promoted by Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) and InterBox, in association with Eye of the Tiger Management (EOTTM) and the participation of Don King Productions (DKP), and co-presented by Mise-O-Jeu and Videotron. Tickets range from $50.00 to $250.00 and are available to purchase at Bell Centre, online at www.evenko.ca, or by calling GYM (514 383-0666) and the club Boxing Champion (514 376-0980). For further information about Jean or any of his EOTTM stable-mates visitwww.eottm.com, or follow him on Twitter @ eotmvd and @DierryJean.

'RED DAWN' Artur Beterbiev vs. Tavoris Cloud NABA Light Heavyweight Championship

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release   September 27 at Bell Centre in Montreal MONTREAL (August 27, 2014) - Former world amateur champion and two-time Russian Olympian Artur Beterbiev (5-0-0, 5 KOs), who moved to Montreal more than a year ago when he first turned professional, will face former International Boxing Federation (IBF) light heavyweight champion Tavoris "Thunder" Cloud (24-2-0, 19 KOs), Saturday night, September 27 at Bell Centre in Montreal. "Red Dawn," featuring Beterbiev vs. Cloud for the vacant North American Boxing Association (NABA) light heavyweight title, is co-promoted by Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) and InterBox, in association with Eye of the Tiger Management (EOTTM) and the participation of Don King Productions (DKP), and co-presented by Mise-O-Jeu and Videotron. Beterbiev, 29, has lived with his family in Laval for more than one year. His wife gave birth to their third child a few weeks ago at St. Mary's General Hospital in Montreal. The newborn, Sofia, joined siblings Akhmad, 4, and 2-year-old Amira in the Beterbiev family. A graduate of the University of Dagestan in Makhachkala with a degree in law, Beterbiev had an outstanding amateur career, earning gold medals as a heavyweight in the 2006 World Cup in Baku and 2008 World Cup in Moscow, as well as at the 2009 World Championships in Milan. He also participated in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, bowing out in the second round to the eventual gold medalist, Zhang Xiaoping, of China. Beterbiev also fought at the 2012 London Olympics, where he lost in the quarterfinals to eventual Olympic champion Oleksandr Usyk, of Ukraine.  During his incredible amateur career, Beterbiev was crowned Russian and European champion. He has defeated renowned boxers such as Sergey Kovalev twice, Ismayl Sillakh, Michael Hunter Jr., Abbos Atoev and many others. With Anna Reva as his manager, Beterbiev turned pro in 2013 and he is undefeated with all five victories by knockout, fighting a total of only 11 rounds. The 32-year-old Cloud, fighting out of Tallahassee, Florida, was the IBF light heavyweight champion for four of his 10-year pro career. He originally won the IBF 175-pound championship in 2009 by way of a 12-round decision over Clinton Woods (42-4-1, 25 KOs), successfully defended his IBF title four times against former world champions Glen Johnson (50-13-2, 34 KOs) and Gabriel Campillo (21-3-1, 8 KOs), as well as challengers Fulgencio Zuniga (24-4-1, 21 KOs) and Yusaf Mack (29-3-2, 17 KOs). Cloud's unbeaten win streak was stopped at 24, along with his championship reign, March 2013 in New York as he lost by 12-round decision to the phenomenal Bernard Hopkins (52-6-2, 32 KOs) . In his attempt to regain a world title on Sept. 28, 2013, Cloud was stopped after seven rounds by World Boxing Council (WBC) light heavyweight champion Adonis "Superman" Stevenson (24-1-0, 20 KOs) at Bell Centre. According to The Ring, Cloud is ranked No. 7 among the best heavyweight in the world, in addition to No. 9 by the WBC and No. 15 by the World Boxing Association (WBA). He has suffered only two defeats during in his pro career, one prior to the distance, but he has never been knocked down. More significantly, Cloud has a decided advantage over Beterbiev in experience having fought a total of 130 rounds, including 75 in world championships. Cloud believes have what it takes to derail his opponent. The combination of his aggressive style and hard proven track record are compelling factors in his favor. Cloud represents a major challenge for Beterbiev, who is prepared to make his mark. "Artur Beterbiev is an extremely special talent and we have a boundless confidence in his abilities," GYM president Yvon Michel said. "It is unheard of for a fighter with only five fights of professional experience to headline an event at the Bell Centre against an opponent the caliber of Cloud. Quebec fans, who admired Valeri Kharlamov, Alexander Yakushev and Vladislav Tretiak, and adopted Alex Kovalev and Sergey Markov, will quickly be won over by this Alexander Ovechkin of boxing." In the co-feature, former world title challenger Dierry "Dougy Style" Jean (26-1-0, 18 KOs) will defend his NABF lightweight title against Mexican invader Daniel "Cañerito" Ruiz (32-7- 2, 22 KOs). GYM, InterBox and EOTTM will present an 8-fight card on Sept. 27. Also fighting are two world welterweight contenders from Quebec and Montreal, respectively, Kevin Bizier (21-1-0, 14 KOs) and Antonin Decarie (30-2-0, 9 KOs) in separate bouts. Three promising prospects Junior Ulysses (3-0-0, 3 KOs), Steven Butler (4-0-0, 3 KOs) and Eric Bazinian (5-0- 0 3 KOs) - are also scheduled to be in action on the undercard. Tickets go on sale this Saturday morning (Aug. 30) at 10:00 a.m. ET and will be available to purchase at Bell Centre, online at www.evenko.ca, or by calling GYM (514 383-0666) and the club Boxing Champion (514 376-0980). Ticket prices range from $50 in the red to $250 on the floor. -30-  ABOUT GROUPE YVON MICHEL, INC.: Founded in 2004, Yvon Michel's GYM's mission is the development of high-level boxers by providing a supportive coaching and especially management competition. GYM is active in recruiting talent in order to achieve its objectives and event planning. Since its founding nine years ago, GYM has promoted 117 events, including ticket and PPV viewing history making fights such as Pascal vs. Hopkins I and II. GYM has produced more than 300 hours of television with Canal Indigo, Bell TV, Shaw TV, TVA Sports, VOX, TVA, CBC, RDS and V, in Canada, as well as HBO, Showtime and ESPN in the USA. A total of seven different GYM boxers have fought in 21 world championship fights. Under the tutelage of GYM, Joachim Alcine captured the WBA super welterweight title in 2007 and Jean Pascal the WBC light heavyweight championship in in 2009. Since June of 2013, Adonis "Superman" Stevenson has held the WBC light heavyweight title. In addition to also being The Ring and lineal light heavyweight champion, Stevenson was named the 2013 Boxer of the Year by The Ring, Sports Illustrated and many other publications.

Campillo Looking for his Next 'Dance' Partner

Former world light heavyweight champion Gabriel Campillo (24-6-1, 11 KOs) is looking for his next dance partner. Coming off a career-rejuvenating victory over formerly undefeated Thomas Williams Jr., on August 1, live on ESPN Friday Night Fights at the Little Creek Casino in Shelton, Washington, in which he stopped Williams in five rounds, "The Handsome Man," Campillo next wants to "tango" with any other top light heavyweight in the world. "Gabriel Campillo, with his upset elimination-bout victory over the undefeated Williams, not only gained the right to be number two in the IBF ratings, but is also number nine in the WBC ratings," said his exclusive promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing. "He is back and looking forward to becoming world champion once again." Professional boxing has been a difficult dance for Campillo, who before suffering losses to two of the top light heavyweights in the world, Sergey Kovalev and Andrey Fonfara (a fight in which he was winning when stopped), the 35-year-old Campillo was outright robbed in high-profile fights against former or current champions Beibut Shumenov, Karo Murat and Tavoris Cloud. "The headlines after the Cloud fight said it was a Texas robbery in the American Bank Center. He should be 27-3 with his only losses in the last seven years against Kovalev and Fonfara," continued Lewkowicz. "His victory over Williams shows that working with his stablemate Sergio "Maravilla" Martinez and the team from Maravilla Box has him back to being one of the best in the world. He was not supposed to win that fight, according to the experts, but he used his southpaw stance to open up a cut and then worked on it until the fight had to be stopped. He showed a level of accuracy and skill only top fighters ever reach." Lewkowicz says he is currently looking for Campillo's next opponent, one that will continue the fighter's mission to reclaim his championship. "Gabriel has told me he feels better than he has in years and is ready for anyone. I will be looking to put him in a fight that will show the world the great tango dancer from Spain, Gabriel "Chico Guapo" Campillo, still has plenty of moves left to show." ABOUT SAMPSON BOXING After a very successful run as a matchmaker and adviser, Sampson Lewkowicz switched over to the promotional side of professional boxing in January 2008. Sampson Boxing has grown into one of the world's most prestigious promotional firms, representing many of the world's best fighters and most promising young contenders. Sampson Boxing has promotional partners all over North and South America, Africa, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Central America and Sampson Boxing events have been televised on such premiere networks as HBO, Showtime, ESPN, VS. and several international networks.

'THE QUEST FOR THE MAN OF STEEL' DOUBLE WORLD LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP ACTION

For Immediate Release    ADONIS STEVENSON VS. TONY BELLEW SERGEY KOVALEV VS. ISMAYL SILLAKH Saturday, November 30 from Colisee Pepsiin Quebec City, Canada Televised Live on HBO Boxing After Dark® MONTREAL(October 17, 2013) -- The World Boxing Council (WBC), The Ring Magazine and lineal World light heavyweight champion, Adonis "Superman" Stevenson (22-1, 19 KOs), has promised to be a spectacular, popular and active champion. He is keeping his word, fighting more impressively with each other victory, as he now prepares for his fourth fight in 2013.   Stevenson's third world championship fight in a five month period, to air in the United States on HBO®, will be in the main event against his mandatory challenger and the WBC's No. 1 contender, England's Tony 'Bomber' Bellew (20-1-1, 12 KOs), onSaturday, November 30 at Colisee Pepsiin Quebec City, Canada. The event will televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark, beginning at 10:15 p. m. ET/PT. As a bonus, Quebecers will also have the pleasure of watching a second world light heavyweight title fight in the same ring as undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) champion Sergey "Krusher" Kovalev (22-0-1, 20 KOs), who like Stevenson is one of the most feared hitters in boxing today, defends his crown for the first time against challenger Ismayl "The Black Russian" Sillakh (21-1, 17 KOs) in the co-feature.  "The Quest of the Man of Steel" event, featuring double world light heavyweight championship action -- Stevenson vs. Bellew and Kovalev vs. Sillakh -- is being co-promoted by Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) and InterBox, in association with Matchroom Boxing and Main Events, and co-presented by Mise- O -Jeu and Videotron. According to GYM president Yvon Michel, "This attractive boxing event also helps bring international prestige to the beautiful City of Quebec for the first time since Pascal vs. Hopkins and Bute vs. Johnson. We find ourselves with valuable support, including Mayor Régis Labeaume and his team, whom we thank for their co-operation."    "We are very happy to be participating in this event as co-promoter in the wonderful city of Quebec," InterBox President Jean Bédard said.  "We will put all our resources and knowledge at the forefront in order to contribute to the success of this event." The 36-year-old Stevenson, now living in Blainville (Quebec, Canada), won his world heavyweight title by way of a first-round knockout in 76 seconds over "Bad" Chad Dawson who was considered at that time the undisputed King of the Light Heavyweights. In Stevenson's first defense (September 28), former world champion Tavoris Cloud (24-1, 19 KOs) was supposed to be a major test for the new world champion. It was quite different as the powerful left-hander pressured Cloud from the start, forcing the challenger to retire at the end of the seventh round. Stevenson gave Cloud a boxing lesson, displaying brilliant skills, finesse, speed and defensive power. "Stevenson - 'The Man of Steel' - is receiving universal recognition as an exceptional boxer, as well as a superior athlete who, through his most recent performances, has risen to the level of his generation's greatest champions," Michel declared. "Adonis Stevenson is already considered a major international attraction in professional boxing. Every time he goes into the ring, he has an opportunity to increase its visibility and reputation." The powerful southpaw Stevenson is on a nine-fight win streak, all ending on sensational knockouts, over Cloud (TKO7 ), Dawson (KO1), Darnell Boone (KO6), Don George (TKO12), Noe Gonzalez (TKO2), Jesus Gonzales (KO1), Aaron Pryor, Jr. (TKO9), Shujaa El Amin (TKO1) and Derek Edwards (KO3). In fact, the last Stevenson fight that went the distance dates back to 2007. The 30-year-old Bellew is a native of Liverpool in the United Kingdom. After a great amateur boxing career, he turned professional in 2007 and later won the Commonwealth (2010-2011) title and he still holds the WBC Silver Belt (2012). He has suffered only one loss to then WBO world champion Nathan Cleverly in 2011. He earned his mandatory challenger position by taking the measure of Isaac Chilemba on points in a WBC title eliminator this last May 25 in the co-feature a Carl Froch vs. Mikkel Kessler headlined card in the UK. Among his notable victories was a ninth-round technical knockout of the usually durable Colombian Edison Miranda (35-7, 30 KOs). The WBO light heavyweight championship bout between champion Kovalev and challenger Sillakh has also raised a lot of interest around the world. Kovalev once terrorized boxing rings around the world representing the Russian National Team. Now a resident of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, he continues in the same vein as a professional, stopping 20 of his 22 opponents, including his last six in a row. In his WBO world title fight last August in England, he was so strong that he tore the title belt from defending champion Cleverly (26-0, 12 KOs), by way of a fourth-round knockout, putting an end to his nearly three-year reign, including six consecutive world championship fights. Kovalev has fought only 61 rounds during his pro career in 22 fights. Eighteen of his 22 fights have ended three rounds or less. Sillakh was one of the most decorated amateurs of his time in international boxing. The former World Cup champion as an amateur turned pro in 2008. In 2012, he was ranked the WBC No. 1 contender, before losing for the first and only time to Denis Grachev (11-0-1, 7 KOs) by eighth-round TKO.  Sillakh has his last four fights to reappear in the world rankings. Undercard fights will soon be announced as InterBox and GYM are working hard to set up another memorable event. Tickets will go on sale this Saturday (Oct. 19) at 10:00 a.m. ET, at Pepsi Coliseum box office, on www.billeteck.com, at GYM (514) 383-0666, InterBox (Marie-Josée Fontaine) (450) 645-1041 or Boxing Club Champion (514) 376-0980. Ticket prices range from $50 in the red up to $300 on the floor.

Stevenson-Cloud event showcases card full of world-class fighters

For Immediate Release WORLD-CLASS EVENT SAT. NIGHT IN MONTREAL JEAN PASCAL VS. GEORGE BLADES ALVAREZ VS. MIRANDA, LEMIEUX VS. UPSHAW Stevenson vs. Cloud headlines 'The Return of Superman' MONTREAL (September 26, 2013) - While media attention has focused on Saturdaynight's "The Return Of Superman" main event (airing live on HBO in the United States), featuring World Boxing Council (WBC), The Ring Magazine and lineal world light heavyweight champion Adonis "Superman" Stevenson (21-1, 18 KOs) in his first title defense against former world title-holder Tavoris "Thunder" Cloud (24-1, 19 KOs), the remainder of this stacked card at historic Bell Centre in Montreal also showcases five other Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) world-class fighters in action. First, former WBC, The Ring Magazine and lineal light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal (22-2-1, 16 KOs) returns to the ring for the first time since defeating Aleksy Kuziemski last December. His opponent is American George "Honey Boy"  Blades (23-4-2, 16 KOs). The last time the WBC #2-rated Pascal did not participate in the main bout of a major event was back in December of 2007, when he faced Brian Norman at the Bell Centre.  Joachim Alcine then successfully defended his World Boxing Association (WBA) light middleweight title belt against Alfonso Mosquera in the main event.   Jean Pascal  "It is a privilege and a luxury to have Pascal's participation in Saturday night's event," said President Yvon Michel of GYM. "He is still considered one of the biggest stars in the light heavyweight division and we all look forward to seeing him back in action.He's fighting for all the right reasons on Saturday and it was good to see him happily smiling during training camp. Currently there is no opponent who is more important for Jean's career than Blades. I expect an inspired performance from him as HBO executives watch him in action." The 39-year-old Blades has been a professional boxer since 1999. From his pro debut through 2007, he won 20 of his first 22 pro fights to join the ranks of world heavyweight contenders. In June of 2007, he had a world title shot against World Boxing Organization (WBO) light heavyweight champion Zsolt Erdei (26-0-0), who won by 11th round technical knockout in Hungary. Blades has won his last two fights, most recently against James Morrow (12-19-3), on February 16 in his home state of Indiana. Another world light heavyweight contender from Montreal, whose return has been long anticipated, is North American Boxing Association (NABA) and North American Boxing Organization (NABO) light heavyweight champion, Eleider "Storm" Alavarez (12-0, 8 KOs).  The WBA and WBO #4 Alvarez faces fellow Colombian, Edison "Pantera" Miranda (35-8-0, 30 KOs). Alvarez has won his last three fights by knockout, including the last two against the world-rated opponents Danny McIntosh and Nicholson Poulard. Alvarez wants his world title shot soon and a convincing victory on his part could precipitate many things in the short or medium term.    Eleider Alvarez (R) explodes   Miranda is a dangerous puncher, whose early meteoric rise resulted in a pair of unsuccessful world title fights, seeks to revive his career. According to his promoter Leon Margules, Miranda doubled his training workouts, "Edison is only 32 years old but he is aware that he must absolutely win September 28th because it is his last chance, explaining why he has trained in Florida with so much determination. Because he and Alvarez are both Colombian, their fight is so much more personal, passionate and emotional for both warriors."       Another GYM fighter patiently waiting to explode on the international scene, middleweight prospect David Lemieux (29-2-0, 28 KOs), will also be in action Saturday night at Bell Centre. Now ranked #14 by the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and #15 by the WBC, Lemieux takes on American upset-specialist Marcus Upshaw (15-10-2, 7 KOs) . The latter is well-known in Quebec having shocked Quebec fighter Renan St-Juste three years ago in Quebec City "At 6' 4'' with an aggressive style, it is possible that David may look bad at times in this fight, but this is the kind of strong and complicated opponent that will allow David to grow," Lemieux' trainer Marc Ramsay commented. Lemieux has won his last four fights by KO and his opponents lasted a total of only six rounds during this sequence. Welterweight Antonin Decarie (27-2, 7 KOs) fought his last two times before HBO cameras and, despite losing his last fight to Argentina Carlos Abregu (35-1, 28 KOs), he showed the right stuff to evolve into a potential world champion. The 30-year-old Decarie, rated #10 by the WBC, still has a very bright future ahead of him. He has also been selected to represent North America in the WBC's World Cup tournament that should get underway in late 2013. In a six-rounder to stay active, Decarie will face the Frenchman Salim Larbi (17-3-2, 5 KOs) this Saturday evening. Larbi fought for the WBO world title as recently as 2012.    IBF I / C and NABA welterweight contender, IBF #3 rated Kevin Bizier (20-0, 14 KOs), of Quebec, will also be back in action after fully recovering from a painful ankle sprain.His opponent is veteran Giuseppe Lauri (53-14, 31 KOs), a native of Italy who now lives in Hungary. Bizier could be one of the main headliners of a GYM event tentatively scheduled for November in Quebec City.    Finally, Saturday night's event will allow former world amateur champion Artur Beterbiev (1-0, 1 KOs) to continue learning, this time in a six-round, light heavyweight fight. To demonstrate the confidence that GYM places in Beterbiev, in only his second professional outing, the Russian prospect will fight a veteran of 47 professional fights, Rayco Saunders (23-22-2, 10 KOs). It's highly usual for a young prospect like Beterbiev, who hasn't lost since a cut cost him an amateur match in 2003, to fight a veteran such as Saunders so early into his pro career.      "Superman Returns," headlined by the world light heavyweight championship between defending champion Stevenson and challenger Cloud, is being presented by Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM), Don King Productions (DKP) and Gary Shaw Productions (GSP), in association with Mise-O-Jeu and Videotron.     Saturday night's gala event at Bell Centre promises to be memorable, featuring an awesome line-up of fighters in significant matches. Doors at the Bell Centre will open Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. ET with the first fight scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. ET. Stevenson vs. Cloud on HBO in the U.S. is slated to start around 10:30 p.m. ET. Tickets are available at Bell Centre, on www.evenko.ca, at GYM (514) 383-0666 or Boxing Club Champion (514) 376-0980. Ticket prices range from $ 50 in the red up to $ 300 on the floor. About Groupe Yvon Michel Inc.:  Yvon Michel (GYM) Group was founded in 2004. The organization's mission is the development of high-level boxers with a support frame in direct competition. To achieve its objectives, GYM actively recruits talent and organizes events. Since its founding nine years ago, GYM has promoted 109 events, some of which have made history in ticket and PPV sales like Pascal vs. Hopkins I and II. GYM has produced more than 300 hours of television for Canal Indigo, Bell TV, Shaw TV, TVA Sports, VOX, TVA, CBC, RDS and V, in Canada, as well as HBO, Showtime and ESPN in the USA. A total of seven different GYM boxers have participated in 17 world title fights. Under the tutelage of GYM Joachim Alcine captured the WBA super welterweight in 2007, Jean Pascal won the WBC Light Heavyweight championship in 2009, and since June 2013 Adonis "Superman" Stevenson has held the WBC, The Ring Magazine and linear light heavyweight.