Big Wins For Theroux And ‘Free Boy’
It’s only February but already 2019 is proving to be an outstanding year for fisticuffs at the Cabaret Room in the Casino de Montreal with a couple of big shows in the record books and more to come next month. Yesterday it was Groupe Yvon Michel’s turn to once again showcase their emerging talent and boxing fans enjoyed a full slate of intriguing matches and some memorable action.
Light heavyweight Alexandre Beaule showed some serious strength and power as he posted a successful pro debut with a fourth round TKO of Alexander Cruz (0-3). Also at 175 pounds, Simon Pierre Adde improved to 4-0 with a points win over Fernando Galvan (4-3). The showcase for local light heavyweights continued with Terry Osias notching his fifth win in as many fights as he overwhelmed Francisco Rios (13-8-3), prompting the referee to intervene and award him a second round TKO.
Middleweight Jean Michel Bolivar was clearly determined to impress the casino crowd as he unloaded a non-stop barrage on Jesus Manuel Beltran (5-4) which included a plethora of painful strikes to the Mexican’s mid-section. The young middleweight from Pointe-Calumet was rewarded with a second round TKO. Montreal fight fans are still hoping for that rematch with Jan Michael Poulin of Mascouche. They put on a barn-burner at the Tohu last March with Bolivar dropping his first pro defeat to Poulin in a memorable war.
The highlight reel moment of yesterday’s entire show came to us courtesy of imposing super middleweight prospect Wilfried “Free Boy” Seyi as he improved to 3-0 with a spectacular knockout of Marco Antonio Morales (1-1). Seyi performed like a man who had his car double-parked outside, getting off to a blazing start and stunning Morales with the first combination he landed.
Instead of taking cover or clinching, Morales left himself wide open and the Cameroon sharp-shooter took full advantage, sending the Mexican crashing full-length to the canvas with a vicious right hand. The referee immediately halted the violent shellacking, which had lasted all of 33 seconds.
Light heavyweight Yan “Wild Thing” Pellerin improved to 5-1 with his third win in a row, all of his victories taking place in the Montreal Casino. He too scored a first round knockout as he floored an aggressive Justin Schmit with a hard left to the belly followed by a right hand to the temple. Schmit could not beat the count.
Middleweights Danyk Croteau (5-2) and Carlos Zavala (3-1) engaged in a wild and bloody affair that saw both men cut before the free-swinging Zavala was disqualified due to his inability to follow the referee’s instructions and break clean. Not a very satisfying or impressive win for Croteau, but a fun fight while it lasted.
And in the main event, welterweight David Theroux improved to 15-3 with a significant victory over experienced battler Jose Alfaro, who was a world lightweight titlist back in the day and riding a three fight win streak. Theroux’s aggression and conditioning appeared to be the difference with Alfaro and his corner surrendering in round six, a somewhat disappointing conclusion. But Theroux fought well, showing strength and a relentless body attack. He is looking to rebound in a major way in 2019 as injury prevented him from competing for almost all of last year. — Robert Portis
Photos by Ariane Théberge.
