There were fights between Jean Pascal and Lucian Bute or between Davey Hilton and Stéphane Ouellet, but it’s been a long time since we had a good local confrontation. Mazlum Akdeniz and Sébastien Bouchard could help on October 7th at Place Bell.
The first is a dashing young stud looking to make a name for himself, while the second is an old hand looking for recognition before hanging up his gloves.
Above all, we are dealing with two boxers who like to put on a show for very different reasons. However, according to Mazlum Akdeniz (18-0-0), America’s current WBC super lightweight belt, the show should be good.
“I think it will be an explosive fight, there will be a lot of punches. We are two aggressive boxers and the one with the most heart will win. »
Photo Martin Chevalier
looking ahead
The two men will fight for the WBC International welterweight belt. For Bouchard it’s a bit like the last dream, but for the one we call Mazz it’s a step.
“For me, this is the fight that will make me known. I want to take the next step and get into the top 15 in the world.
“I hope that it gives me the chance to take part in some big fights in the United States, because the goal still remains to make money, millions if possible, to provide comfort for my family. »
The 26-year-old pugilist is therefore not lacking in confidence and knows he can count on this fight to attract attention.
“I am an aggressive boxer, people prepare their popcorn to watch me. I’m not here to win on points, I’m here to get the knockout. »
Photo Martin Chevalier
Aim high
Mazz welcomes us to his gym in Longueuil, which has been open for less than two months. He just received his ring. His little daughter Èvine, who has just turned one, runs around and watches her father train, chattering and smiling at him. His partner Carine looks at her tenderly. She also tells us that she is expecting a second daughter, who will be born in December.
Akdeniz was born in Quebec to a Turkish family of Kurdish origin. There is also a Kurdish flag hanging on the wall of the gym. He doesn’t want to get involved in politics, but he cares about his people.
“I have two goals. The first is to become world champion and the second is to fill a stadium in eastern Turkey, in the city of Diyarbakir, where my family comes from.
“I don’t just see it as dreams because I don’t like to dream, I’m a guy who loves it. »
Photo Martin Chevalier
I think of his head
If Mazz wants to achieve his goals, he has to act quickly because he has set the age of 30 as the deadline for ending his career. But why ?
“I want to think about my health first and foremost. I don’t take much damage, I have good defense, but I have potential in other things in life and I think I can do something good even without boxing. I feel like I’m going downhill after 30 years. »
And when we listen to him, we understand that he also wants to please his father, who told him not to come home if he decided to start boxing.
“My brother and I decided to go anyway and he tolerated it. I asked him why he didn’t want us to box and he gave me the example of several boxers, like Mohammed Ali, who suffered brain damage.
“I understand what he means, so I want to do it in a smart way. It’s not a lack of passion for boxing, I just want to think in my head. »