Mary Spencer lost her bet. She lost by split decision to Belgian Femke Hermans, who left with the IBF and IBO super-middleweight world champion titles.
The decision could have gone either way. Spencer started the fight very well. Hermans found his way from the fourth round. The fight was split from start to finish, although Hermans seemed more consistent. The judges handed out cards of 95-95, 96-94 and 97-93, Wednesday evening, in the final of this gala which was held at the Cabaret du casino de Montréal.
“To be honest, I feel depressed,” a smiling Spencer told reporters despite everything. But at the same time, I am grateful to have had this chance. »
Neither boxer really shook her opponent. Hermans resisted Spencer’s powerful assaults without flinching. But she fought back with more strikes. This is where the fight took place, according to his trainer Samuel Décarie-Drolet.
Eye of the Tiger Management (EOTTM) promoter Camille Estephan was surprised to see his protégé so “hesitant.”
“It’s not his nature,” says Estephan. I’m surprised to see that, to be honest. I think the fact that she didn’t box for nine months might have had something to do with it. The fact that she didn’t have a fight between defeat and rematch. »
He saw her “step back” every time she gave a good thrust. “She didn’t take advantage of the opportunities she created. I saw a clear hesitation. »
But “no excuses,” he says, although he mentions being “disappointed.” “Femke did the job. She is very serious. She has a good team. We lost the fight. »
Femke Hermans therefore won a second victory in as many clashes against Spencer. And she saw the difference between the Canadian she beat in December 2022 and the one she defeated on Wednesday night.
“She has improved her movements a lot,” said the Belgian, with both belts on her shoulders. But I knew the second time wasn’t going to be like the first. She changed coaches, she did her job. With her age, she had to win. »
Spencer is 38 years old and coming off two straight losses. What’s next for her?
The main interested party believes that she still enjoys going to the gym. And above all, that it was not downgraded against Hermans.
“We’re going to sit down as a team,” replies Estephan. We will see what we do to move forward. But it wasn’t enough. I expected a lot better, to be honest. We will analyze why. »
“This shot is my favorite shot. » And Erik Bazinyan used it wisely. His right hook got the better of a tough Ronald Ellis on Wednesday, sending the American to the mat in the 6th round. Bazinyan thus retained his NABA and NABF super-welterweight titles.
His knockout, he really needed it. Because Ellis (18-4-2, 12 KOs) was starting to gain power in this fight. And maybe even the ascendant. But whatever. This victory, obtained in spectacular fashion, allowed the Laval resident of Armenian origin to send a message to the competitors in his division, in this case David Benavidez and Canelo Alvarez.
“That’s what I really wanted to see,” commented Camille Estephan. He pulled a rabbit out of his hat. And it was good timing! Sometimes magic is good. »
Bazinyan (31-0, 22 KOs) felt his last fight “didn’t go very well,” despite his victory last June. “I wanted to have a good fight, a good knockout, so everyone can see what Erik Bazinyan can do. »
Estephan speaks of a “declaration” from her foal.
“He demonstrated that he is among the elite. »
Leïla Beaudoin “would have liked” to knock out her opponent, but she had to settle for a convincing victory in eight rounds. The boxer from Témiscouata (9-1, 1 KO) won by unanimous decision against Mexican Estrella Valverde (19-12-2, 4 KOs).
“I have a habit of starting off like a lioness and fading out a little bit at the end,” she explained. But here, I did the complete opposite. […] She is an experienced boxer, and Mexican women are known to be tough. I’ve already had a few tabarouettes, and they didn’t fall off! »
Just after Beaudoin’s victory, Montreal’s Christopher Guerreiro (9-0, 5 KOs) looked very good in his KO victory. against the Mexican Jose Lopez (30-9-2, 16 KO). Guerreiro was fiery and powerful, knocking his opponent to the mat in the fourth round. Exactly as he predicted.
“I wrote that!” he says in an interview.
– You mean that you literally wrote, on paper, that you were going to win by knockout. ?
– Yes, I wrote that it was going to end in the 4th round, he said, smiling. I have a plan for all my fights. »
