Dillon Carman Vs. Eric Martel Bahoeli Fight Preview – Canadian Boxing News
By Lou Eisen
Almost as a matter of course, whenever the phrase, “Canadian Heavyweight Champion,” comes up in conversation, the first and usually only name that pops into mind is George Louis Chuvalo, the former undisputed Canadian heavyweight champion. Chuvalo held the title for 25 years, longer than any other Canadian heavyweight, before or since. Chuvalo told me once that he loved it when announcer Johnny Addie always introduced him at Madison Square Garden as the, “King of Canada.
The most recent man to hold the Canadian heavyweight title was Neven Panjic, now retired. Panjic’s most notable fight was his three-round knockout loss to British behemoth Tyson Fury. Panjic’s claim to fame will always be that he managed to drop Fury to the mat with a thunderous overhand right.Fury then got up and stopped Panjic.
The Canadian heavyweight title is now vacant but not for long. On Oct. 25th, at the Mattamy Events Centre (formerly Maple Leaf Gardens), Dillon “Big Country” Carman, 6-2, 5 KO’s will take on Montreal’s Eric “The Hammer” Martel Bahoeli, 10-4, 7 KO’s, in a ten round title match. Title matches are normally 12 round affairs but Ontario has an irascible boxing commissioner in Ken Hayashi, who micromanages every fight in the province, often to the detriment of the fighters and the fans. That being said, this fight should be a coming out party for Carman. Carman’s record is rather misleading. He has eight pro fights on his record. It is important to remember that heavyweights are an entirely different breed than all other fighters and mature at their own pace.
Carman is 6’4’ tall and 28 years old. Bahoeli is 6’3” and 33 years of age. Carmen is most effective when he comes in behind his powerful left jab. Carmen will endeavor to establish his booming left jab, early on in the fight. If he can do that, and then start to come over the top with his right hand, it will be a short night for Bahoeli. Carman has improved tremendously in each of his fights. When Carman puts his punches together in combinations with speed and accuracy, his opponents usually give up attacking and simply try to survive.
One thing Carman has in abundance is personality and charisma. When he has fought at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga (a suburb of Toronto), the five thousand-seat arena has been filled to capacity with everyone in attendance raucously cheering for “Big Country.” Carman belongs on ESPN and hopefully a victory over Bahoeli in spectacular fashion will earn him some well-deserved American television exposure.
Carman has not been as active as he would like during his young career but that is not really anyone’s fault. Most other Canadian heavyweights do not want any piece of him, so, fighters must be brought in from other provinces and countries and that starts to get expensive after a while. Carman only has two losses on his ledger thus far. He lost a decision in his third pro fight. His second loss was a stoppage defeat at the hands of Sylvera Louis in five rounds at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga. However, a mere five months later, Carman avenged that defeat by stopping Louis in one round, once again at the aforementioned Hershey Centre.
In his last fight, Bahoeli attempted to annex the British Commonwealth heavyweight title but was unceremoniously stopped by an out of shape, obese Lucas Browne. Browne has tremendous power in his right hand and managed to drop Bahoeli hard to the canvas in round two. Bahoeli beat the count and was clearly saved by the bell. He came out for round three still a bit shaky and unsteady on his feet. He had not fully recovered from Browne’s huge right hook flush on the button.
Browne was cut on his left eyelid as the result of an accidental head butt. He was still able to do his job well and successfully attacked Bahoeli to the head, time and time again. It does not say much about Bahoeli that he was easily beaten by an out of shape and unprepared opponent like Browne. However, Bahoeli does have some recognizable names (at least to Canadian fight fans) on his ledger. He stopped the heavily favored Didier Bence in just two rounds last year in Quebec City. Bahoeli was stopped in eight rounds in his original meeting in 2012 with fellow Canadian Raymond Olubowale but won the rematch one year later, stopping Olubowale in six tough rounds.
Bahoeli has the experience to get the job done. He also has a habit of folding under pressure when the going gets tough. Carmen has the mental fortitude and skill set to take out Bahoeli, who will tire rapidly the longer the fight goes on.
Given past history, when everything is on the line, Bahoeli usually comes up short whereas Carman rises to the top. Carman believes that this is his time to shine and show the world that he is indeed the better man. When the will of both men is equal, it is the skill difference that will decide the fight. However in this instance, the will of Carman is superior to that of Bahoeli. Carman’s skills are sharper and more refined. Bahoeli will start to run out of steam midway through the fight. Look for Carman to use the whole ring, forcing Bahoeli to chase him. Carman will counter Bahoeli’s wild lunges with sharp right hands and uppercuts. Carman will drop the “Hammer” on Bahoeli, stopping him between rounds six and eight. In five days time, Carman will become the new Canadian heavyweight champion. Long live the king!