Simon Kean had a big smile in the ring Thursday night at the Casino de Montreal after claiming the knockout. to the American Eric Molina with a powerful right.
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The Quebecer knew he had just clinched an important win for the rest of his career. In the seventh round, Kean (23-1, 22 KOs) beat Molina (29-9, 21 KOs) with a powerful right hand.
“I felt like he was tired and I hit him hard,” commented Kean with the win in hand. Other than that, I wasn’t shaken once during the fight.
The 34-year-old Kean had hit the 40-year-old American with his jab several times before.
“This is my second most satisfying career win after beating Carman in Shawinigan,” said the Quebecer.
Remember, on June 15, 2019, Kean then exacted revenge on who inflicted his only career loss in Quebec the previous year.
Alexis Barrière, who recently challenged Kean, had a front row seat to witness that fight. However, this win over Molina could improve the Mauricie-born boxer’s chances of a fight of international caliber.
Orobio: new jewel?
Photo provided by EOTTM, Vincent Ethier
Mexican Alejandro Medina De La Rosa appeared completely confused in front of Eye of the Tiger Management newcomer Colombian Jhon Orobio on Thursday, March 23, 2023 at the Casino de Montreal. Photo Vincent Ethier/EOTTM © 2023
The future of boxing in Quebec is also in good hands: Jhon Orobio, 19, and Wilkens Mathieu, 18, each won their bout Thursday night at a gala presented at the Casino de Montréal.
Orobio (1-0, 1 KO) from Cali, Colombia is coach Marc Ramsay’s new gem. He made a successful professional debut with Eye of the Tiger Management, beating Mexico’s Alejandro Medina De La Rosa (2-2, 2 KOs) in the first round. Referee Alain Villeneuve stopped the fight after one minute and 35 seconds.
“The challenge was mostly playing a first professional fight, but we saw that the potential and the talent was there despite his young age,” commented Ramsay.
“It was motivating to fight in such an atmosphere in front of boxing enthusiasts,” Orobio explained through an interpreter who arrived in Quebec just last week.
Over Mathieu (2-0, 1 KO), he defeated Mexican veteran Jose Gonzalez Saldana (1-3-1, 0 KO), who at 36 was twice his age. A win by unanimous decision of the judges at the end of four rounds, thanks to three maps of 40-36.
Leïla Beaudoin remains undefeated
Quebec’s Leïla Beaudoin also remained undefeated in the other duels of the evening and claimed her ninth victory in as many fights since the beginning of her professional career. She won unanimously on points against her Mexican opponent Laura Avendano Mondragon.
In a tough fight, Canadian Steve Claggett (34-7-2, 24 KOs) had the upper hand by KO. Technique on Mexican Rafael Guzman Lugo (26-3-2, 16 KOs), who resigned after seven rounds. Luis Santana (9-0, 3 KOs) defeated Francisco Arturo Ramirez Martinez (11-5, 6 KOs).
For her part, Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse (4-1, 1 KO) has made a return to the ring, her last fight dating back to 2017. The 27-year-old Quebecois defeated USA’s Princess Hairston (2-2-1, 2 KOs) by unanimous decision.