Bizier vs. Campbell headlines this week’s ESPN FNF in Montreal

FEB 8TH ESPN2 FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS AT BELL CENTRE BIZIER VS. CAMPBELL NABA & IBF INT. WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIPS PLUS THE RETURN OF JOACHIM ALCINE

MONTREAL – The stage is set for the third installment of Fast & Furious 3.0, co-presented by Mise-O-Jeu and Videotron, this Friday night (Feb. 8) at Bell Centre.

Unbeaten in 19 professional fights, hot Quebec prospect and WBA #5 rated welterweight Kevin Bizier (19-0-0, 13 KO) takes on wily former unified world champion and IBF # 9 ranked contender, Nate “The Galaxy Warrior” Campbell (36-9-1, 26 KO), for Bizier’s NABA title and the vacant IBF Inter-Continental belt. This main event battle, airing live in the United States and Canada, respectively, on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights and TVA Sports, could be the turning point in the popular French-Canadian boxer’s career.

In the co-feature, Montreal super featherweight Baha Laham (10-0-1, 4 KO), who was scheduled to fight next week, jumped at the opportunity offered to be showcased on American television, fighting 26-year-old lefty Tyler Asselstine (12-0-0, 7 KO), of Ottawa, in a fight that promises to be explosive and entertaining.

The spectators present at Bell Centre will also have the chance to witness the return of former WBA super welterweight champion Joachim “Ti Joa” Alcine (33-3-1, 19 KO), who is looking to reload his career with a victory over veteran David Toribio (19-14-0, 12 KO), of Miami. Alcine has enjoyed a lot of success in Montreal, the last time winning by majority decision over David Lemieux in December of 2011.

“I am very excited of the boxing event that we’re promoting this Friday at the Bell Centre, which will allow some young fighters to prove themselves,” GYM president Yvon Michel said. “Kevin Bizier can burst onto the world stage, while former world champion Joachim Alcine can revive his career”.

“During the making of this event we faced some particularly difficult challenges but we never gave up and found solutions. Our key associates — especially Marc Ramsay, Adam Harris and Camille Estephan — all have my respect and admiration for the jobs they’ve done. I also wish to express my gratitude to Doug Loughrey Director of ESPN Programming, for his continued trust and support”.

Of the 14 boxers who are scheduled to compete in the seven planned fights, nine are unbeaten, which promises competitive fights from beginning to end. Of special interest to watch is ex-Canadian amateur champion, heavyweight Didier “Big Daddy” Bence (6-0-0, 2 KOs), as he meets 22-year-old Philadelphia boxer Joey “Polish Thunder” Dawejko (7-1-2, 3 KO). Bence had an excellent amateur career, highlighted by him winning the 2008 World Junior Championships in Mexico.

Also fighting on the undercard is the proud representative of the St-Hacinthe Boxing Club, Michael Gadbois (8-0-0, 3KO), who wants to impress in his GYM fight card debut against undefeated Polish opponent Krzysztof Rogowski (5-0-0, 2 KO). In the opening bouts, Marc Pagcaliwangan (2-0-0, 2KO) will try to keep his knockout streak alive versus tough Hungarian Laszlo Feteke (6-0-0, 5 KO); Steve Rolls (2-0-0, 1 KO), of Ontario, squares-off with Ahmad Selemani (0-7-0, 0 KO), of Quebec.

Tickets, starting at $30.00, are available to purchase at Bell Centre, online at www.evenko.ca, or by calling GYM at GRATIS (514) 383.0666

About Groupe Yvon Michel Inc.:

Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM) was founded in 2004. The organization’s mission is the development of high-level boxers by a support coaching and management, especially in competition. To achieve its objectives, GYM is active in recruiting talent and organization of events. Since its inception eight years ago GYM presented 105 events and some made history in ticket sales and PPV, like Pascal vs. Hopkins I and II.

GYM has produced over 300 hours of TV Canal Indigo, Bell TV, Shaw TV, TVA Sports, VOX, TVA, CBC, RDS and V, in Canada, as well as HBO, Showtime and ESPN in the US. A total of six different GYM boxers participated in 16 world championship fights. Under the tutelage of GYM, Joachim Alcine captured the WBA super welterweight title in 2007, and Jean Pascal the WBC Light Heavyweight championship in 2009.