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FIGHTNEWS CANADA's
2009 Promotion of the Year
Pascal vs Diaconu (INTERBOX and GYM)
For five years they ran side-by-side. Each developing world champions, signing up all available talent and fighting tooth-and-nail for local market share. Both Interbox and GYM put forth outstanding shows but had all but eliminated what used to be the bread and butter of Quebec and Canadian boxing; the local rivalry. And if you’re going to have a local rivalry, can you think of anything better than doing it for a world title? This fight would have got the nod even if it was a dud for the sheer importance of the two local promoters getting together to stage the historic title fight between two Canadians on Canadian soil. The fact that it pitted the power of the stoic Adrian Diaconu versus the speed of the flashy Jean Pascal in what turned out to be Fight of the Year was just icing on the cake.
Honourable mention: Bradley vs Holt
It was a promoter’s version of pulling one out of the fire. With a little more than a week to show time, ticket sales were in the hundreds, not thousands for this unification event. Things looked grim and Canada ’s boxing reputation was a stake when Interbox stepped up to the plate and was able to rescue the event that brought Showtime Championship Boxing to Canada for the first time. By the time the final bell sounded, all were singing the praises of the host city, including the fighters, Gary Shaw, and reps for Bob Arum. The enthusiastic fans were rewarded with a great main event and a great lead-in with Librado Andrade getting by Vitali Tyspko as support. The event also sparked negotiations that rewarded Benoit Gaudet with a world title shot.
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