Mathieu Germain is full of enthusiasm for 2024, which could be crucial for the rest of his career, especially if there are small setbacks in his preparation.
The Quebec boxer will headline the first gala of the year for the Yvon Michel Group (GYM) on March 14. We don't know his opponent yet, he will be announced in a few days.
At 34 years old, Germain (23-2-1, 9 KOs) feels like time is working against him and the biggest fight of his career still awaits him. He would like to at least box against a higher ranked man by the end of the year.
“There it happens. It's now or never. I will work everywhere to make this happen. I'll ask Yvon to push. I will write to all my opponents on Instagram. “Something will happen,” he assured during his training session on Tuesday at the Claude-Robillard sports complex.
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“I don’t want to linger,” the Mascouche resident added. I've been boxing since I was 10 years old. That's what this year is for. I want it to happen this year. I don't have to fight to move forward. I am here.”
The suspension in the rearview mirror
The sanction imposed by the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux (RACJ) against GYM due to the behavior of Yvon Michel, which prevents GYM from organizing galas between January 16th and March 12th, has no effect on Germain did the math, who still admits that he would have liked to have fought more. The last gala took place in September.
“I fight when I am asked to fight. “It doesn’t matter,” assured the father of three and said he could count on good sponsors during the downtime.
Germain prefers to look to the future and trains intensively every day. His sparring partners have no choice but to adapt to his intensity, because the super lightweight doesn't shy away from anything.
“I'm getting older, I won't be able to fight one fight after another anymore. Of course I would like at least three [combats] per year. I didn't leave the gym. I’m in the gym all year round, so it’s not a return to training for me,” he explained.
For March 14th, “G-Time” hopes to have a quality opponent in front of him who can prepare him for the big fights he so craves.
Pomerleau demands more
It is more difficult for a young wolf like Derek Pomerleau to live with such a sanction. The 23-year-old boxer wants to gain experience to move forward and that is why he wants to fight on March 14th, but also on April 4th and May 16th.
“The break is extremely long, I don't even call it a break,” said the man who entered the ring for the last time on October 7th at Place Bell. It almost feels like a sabbatical between each fight. I think it’s a very, very long time, but I’m confident we’re on the right track.”
Photo agency QMI, JOEL LEMAY
Those who present the future of the GYM in the middleweight division are gradually gaining experience with the aim of soon fighting for the belt. Pomerleau (6-0, 4 KOs) is confident and knows there is some pressure on his shoulders.
“It will sound a little [égocentrique], but I expected that at some point I would be the person who would make the move happen. I'm not surprised, but it warms my heart, for example,” said the Montrealer.
On Tuesday he trained with Germain in the ring and the veteran was able to give him some valuable advice. Pomerleau knows that this special relationship will help him grow.
“I can compare myself with him, with my knowledge and his. We work together and help each other,” he confessed.