“If I win this fight, everything will change for me. »
Posted at 5:42 p.m.
For Petro Ivanov (18-0-2, 13 KOs), the International Boxing Organization (IBO) world championship clash against the Cuban Osleys Iglesias (12-0, 11 KOs. ), this Thursday evening at the Cabaret du Casino de Montréal, “it’s a great opportunity to change [sa] vie. »
For what reason, Petro?
“Because then I can face other guys who are at the highest level,” he replies in his broken English. The 28-year-old Ukrainian was seated with the representative of your newspaper at the Le Valet bar on Wednesday noon, a few moments before his weigh-in during which he would reach the weight of 167.2 lbs.
For him, therefore, the stakes of the brawl are essentially the same as for his opponent. But by observing the flags that hang over the two sleeves of his jacket, we deduce that it also has another meaning. On the left, that of Germany, where he has lived since even before the invasion of Ukraine by Vladimir Putin’s Russia. On his right arm, that of his motherland.
Today’s news, not far from our thoughts anyway, prompts us to ask him how he reacts to seeing Donald Trump, openly pro-Putin, return to the White House.
Ivanov doesn’t get wet in front of our microphone. “Politics is complicated. » He only takes the opportunity to “thank the soldiers who defend [son] pays ».
Like his two brothers. His father also stayed in Ukraine. His mother lives with him in Karlsruhe, in southwest Germany. “They believe in me and support me,” he says, of his dream of reaching the highest ranks of boxing.
Ivanov moved to the Germans a little more than two years before war broke out at home, under a contract with a boxing promotion company there. “In Ukraine, there was no good promotion. In Germany, I found a place that could push me and give me opportunities at the international level. »
Thanks to this agreement, he was “allowed” to stay in Hans Zimmer’s country.
Thursday’s fight will be his first outside his adopted homeland since 2020. “I’m here, in Canada, to represent my country and show my flag. […] My friends and parents will watch the fight live and support me. »
Ivanov has not fought in more than a year, making him “inactive” in the eyes of boxing authorities, although until recently he held 11th place in the International Boxing Federation’s contenders rankings. (IBF). Iglesias, for his part, occupies 7th place. Does he still believe in his chances against the pugilist from the local stable?
I’m aiming for the world title, it doesn’t matter if it’s IBO, IBF or WBC. I want to be at the highest level and become the undisputed champion.
Petro Ivanov
If we heard a different speech coming from the mouth of a boxer, we would be surprised. Still, the challenge is significant on Thursday. Iglesias is known for his striking power. But according to Ivanov, his “defense” and “movements” leave something to be desired. And, he believes, the Cuban won many of his fights with illegal blows to the head.
“He can say that comment,” Iglesias retorts. But we’ll see what he says tomorrow, when we’re face to face. »
“A road ahead” for Butler
Here are already several Steven Butler fights where we say to ourselves, on the eve of these: it makes or breaks. Butler (34-5-1, 28 KOs) is 29 years old. He lost two of his last four fights, including one against Montrealer Patrice Volny (19-1-0, 13 KOs), last June, at the Casino. In the semi-final against the Argentinian Fernando Ezequiel Farias (12-2-0, 4 KOs), he played big, once again.
“He’s a guy the crowd wants to see box,” recalls promoter Camille Estephan. It helps us a lot. It depends on his level of motivation. If he is motivated to continue, we will give him every chance. He’s a guy very close to me, personally. He grew up with us. We have a special relationship. »
He nevertheless agrees that there is a “way to go” for Butler if he wants to “get back on track”. “We failed twice. With Volny he fought himself. It’s his emotions that he has to manage, otherwise he would have won the fight. »
