Quebec boxer Alexis Barrière is floating on a cloud, undoubtedly a golden cloud, as he served as Tyson Fury's training partner for almost a month in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
“It's a different world here, there's money, it's incredible,” he says between two boxing sessions at the facilities of the Dorat Naid Resort, a luxury hotel complex.
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The 28-year-old Barrière tries not to get too carried away, but a chemistry develops between him and the Fury clan that leads him to utter a meaningful sentence: “My life is going to change.”
At the moment, the Quebec heavyweight is Fury's main teammate in training to prepare him for his megafight on February 17 against Ukrainian champion Oleksandr Usyk. The WBC, WBO, WBA, IBF and IBO titles are at stake in this heavyweight bout.
Photo Daniel Leal / AFP
“I train with Fury twice a day, from Monday to Saturday,” explains Barrière. The quality of my boxing has tripled since I've been here. The main difference is the strategies to be used during a fight, which we call “Ring IQ.”
At his place
Barrière (11-0, 9 KOs), who has been undefeated since the start of his professional career, feels at home in the same ring as Fury, who is 1.80 meters tall, 10 to 12 centimeters taller than the Quebecer.
“When I got here I wanted to assess where I stood compared to the elite. One round with Fury is like three rounds with others, but I've been told that among his training partners I'm perhaps the one who gives him the most problems,” says Barrière, claiming to have received more than just good comments from trainer Sugar Hill.
Alexis Barrière (center) faces many heavyweights in Riyadh in January 2024 while serving as Tyson Fury's training partner. In the photo he is accompanied by Agron Smakici (left) and Elvir Sendro (right). PHOTO PROVIDED BY NEW ERA PROMOTION
Better yet, the Quebecer acknowledges that he has developed an open friendship with the British boxer nicknamed the “Gypsy King.”
Tyson Fury, at a press conference, November 16, 2023. Photo Daniel Leal / AFP
“Honestly, she is one of the most beautiful people I have met in my life,” adds the man, who grew up in Quebec before moving to Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu about ten years ago. We get along well, we eat together, we even go shopping sometimes.”
Led by the Fury brothers?
It is above all this relationship with Tyson, as well as that with Shane, the boxer's brother, that makes Barrière believe that his life will soon change. The two members of the Fury family would even be happy to advise and support him in obtaining lucrative fights in the future.
“They told me that they would be disappointed if I didn’t become world champion within two or three years,” says Barrière.
Olympic qualification: a simple step aside for Alexis Barrière
By describing the way he moves in the ring, boxer Alexis Barrière explains a little why he has agreed to meet in Italy from February 29th to March 12th to qualify for the next Summer Olympics in Paris.
“I move around the ring a lot, I often move sideways to give myself an angle,” he says.
For Barrière, this short detour, which could take him to Paris in 2024, is precisely a step aside and not a step back to advance several others. He gives himself a perspective for the future.
Alexis Barrière, in training, in April 2023. Archive photo, QMI Agency
Barrière assures that his career as a professional boxer remains a priority, but competing in the Olympics or even winning a medal could put him on the international stage.
“During my amateur career I didn’t have the opportunity to go there and I think now is the right time for me,” he added. I see it as a salvation.”
The podium in Italy
For his entire career, Barrière believes that his Canadian championship belt, which he won against Abokan Bokpe in Brossard on May 21, 2022, is the most prestigious award he has won to date. He would like to add an Olympic medal before moving on to his ultimate goal: becoming a professional world champion.
Last December in Montreal, Barrière dominated Canadian qualifying, beating British-Colombian William Nike Blackmore in the final. A podium in Italy would now enable him to qualify for Paris.